Sheetal Devi began India's Asian Para Games 2026 campaign in spectacular fashion on Monday, October 19, equalling the world record in the women's compound archery qualification round in Nagoya. The 19-year-old scored 704 out of a possible 720 points, bettering her own Asian record and setting the tone for India's campaign.
The archer from Jammu and Kashmir delivered a near-flawless performance, registering 57 perfect 10s from her 72 arrows, including 32 Xs, which denote shots landing in the innermost scoring zone of the target.
Sheetal, the Paris Paralympics bronze medallist, surpassed her previous Asian record of 698 by six points. The world record of 704 was set by Turkiye's Oznur Girdi at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
The reigning Asian Games champion also improved on her own Asian Para Games record of 680, which she had set at Hangzhou in 2023. Sheetal had won two gold medals, in the individual and mixed team events, and a silver in doubles at the previous edition.
She had raised the Asian record to 698 in March this year before producing an even better performance in Nagoya.
PAYAL NAG IMPRESSES ON DEBUT
India's strong start was further boosted by Payal Nag, who finished fifth in the women's compound qualification round with 675 points on her Asian Para Games debut.
The quadruple amputee from Odisha shot to prominence in April this year when she stunned Sheetal on her way to winning gold at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok. Her performance in Nagoya strengthened India's prospects in both the individual and team events.
Sheetal and Payal combined for 1,379 points to take India to the top of the women's compound team qualification standings. China finished second with 1,338 points, leaving India comfortably ahead of the field.
India's top finish secured the team a direct berth in the semifinals. The Indian pair will face the winners of the quarterfinal between fifth-seeded Thailand and fourth-seeded Kazakhstan, with a victory taking them into the medal round.
With Sheetal matching the world record and Payal making an impressive debut, India made a strong statement in the opening stages of the archery competition in Nagoya.