Paris Paralympics 2024: In a dramatic turn of events at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, India’s trailblazing archer Sheetal Devi shattered the world record in women’s compound archery, only to fall just one point short of setting a new benchmark. The 17-year-old, who is the youngest Indian para-athlete to compete at the Paralympics, scored an astonishing 703 points in the ranking round, breaking the previous world and Paralympic records. However, Turkey’s Oznur Cure Girdi narrowly surpassed her in the final moments with a score of 704, clinching the new world record.
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Sheetal Devi’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Competing in the women’s individual compound archery category, she surpassed the previous world record of 698 points, held by Great Britain’s Phoebe Paterson Pine, and the Paralympic record of 694 points set by Jessica Stretton at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Devi’s score of 703 points marked her personal best, underscoring her rapid rise in the sport.
Despite narrowly missing the top spot, Sheetal’s achievement was a moment of immense pride for India. As the only international para-archery champion without upper limbs, her journey to the Paralympics has been nothing short of inspirational.
The ranking round at the iconic Les Invalides Arena was a thrilling contest, with Sheetal and Turkey’s Oznur Cure Girdi, locked in a tense battle for the top position. Both archers pushed each other to new heights, ultimately breaking the existing world and Paralympic records. Sheetal’s consistent performance throughout the round placed her among the top contenders, but a final shot of 9 points allowed Girdi to edge ahead by a single point, securing the new world record with 704 points.
With the ranking round now behind her, Sheetal Devi is set to compete in the knockout stages, where she will face the winner of the match between Mariana Zuniga of Chile and Choi Na Mi of Korea. Zuniga, a silver medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, presents a formidable challenge, but Sheetal’s form and determination make her a strong contender for a podium finish.
Sheetal’s journey to the Paris Paralympics has been marked by a series of impressive achievements. In 2023, she claimed gold medals in both individual and mixed team events at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, and secured a silver medal at the World Archery Para Championships in the Czech Republic. Her rapid ascent in the sport has seen her climb to the top rank in the World Para Archery Compound rankings, earning her the title of Best Youth Athlete of the Year by the Asian Paralympic Committee and the prestigious Arjuna Award from the Indian government.
As she continues to break barriers and redefine the limits of what is possible, Sheetal Devi’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the indomitable human spirit. The world will be watching closely as she aims for gold in the coming rounds, and regardless of the outcome, her legacy as a pioneer in para-archery is already assured.
FAQs
What record did Sheetal Devi break at the Paris Paralympics 2024?
Sheetal Devi broke the world record in the women’s individual compound archery with a score of 703 points
Read more: Paris 2024 Paralympics: Complete Schedule for Indian Athletes and Medal Hope
