India delivered a commanding performance at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, headlined by an inspiring gold medal win in the compound women’s team event.
The pairing of Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag not only secured the title but also symbolised resilience and excellence, as the duo overcame Kazakhstan 150-147 in a high-quality final.
The victory was part of a broader medal surge for India, particularly in team events, where the contingent showcased depth, consistency, and technical precision across both compound and recurve categories.
Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag lead historic triumph
The compound women’s team gold stood out as one of the defining moments of the competition. Sheetal Devi, the world champion armless archer, and Payal Nag, a limbless archer rising rapidly through the ranks, combined seamlessly to deliver under pressure.
Facing Kazakhstan in the final, the Indian duo maintained composure throughout the match, executing tight groupings and capitalising on crucial ends to edge past their opponents. The 150-147 scoreline reflected both the competitiveness of the contest and India’s ability to hold nerve in decisive moments.
Adding further intrigue to the event, both archers are now set to face each other in the individual compound women’s final—an all-Indian gold medal match that guarantees the top podium spot while also showcasing the country’s growing dominance in para archery.
Gold treble in compound team events
India’s success extended beyond the women’s team event, as the contingent secured a remarkable clean sweep in compound team categories. The men’s compound team of Toman Kumar and Shyam Sunder clinched gold with a composed performance, while the compound mixed team pairing of Sheetal Devi and Toman added another title to India’s tally.
This gold treble underlines India’s strength in compound archery, particularly in team formats where coordination, rhythm, and consistency are critical. The performances also reflect the depth in India’s para archery programme, with multiple athletes capable of delivering at the highest level.
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India’s recurve archers complemented the compound success with a strong showing in team events. The men’s recurve duo of Harvinder Singh and Vijay secured gold, reinforcing their status as one of the most reliable combinations in the circuit.
In the mixed recurve event, Bhawna and Vijay Sundi earned a bronze medal, while the women’s recurve team of Bhawna and Rajshri also finished on the podium with a bronze. These results ensured that India concluded the team events phase with a total of six medals, reflecting a well-rounded performance across disciplines.
Strong pipeline into individual finals
With team events concluded, attention now shifts to the individual competitions, where India has a significant presence in medal matches across categories.
In the compound men’s individual event, Toman Kumar will compete for gold, while Rakesh and Shyam Sunder are set to face each other in an all-Indian bronze medal match. This guarantees at least one more medal for India in the category.
In the W1 women’s division, Swati will contest the gold medal match, with Anjum featuring in the bronze medal match. Meanwhile, in recurve events, Harvinder Singh and Bhawna have both progressed to their respective gold medal matches, further strengthening India’s medal prospects.
India’s performance in Bangkok highlights not just immediate success but also the sustained progress of its para archery programme. The presence of multiple athletes across finals, combined with dominance in team events, indicates a system that is producing consistent results at the international level.
The achievements of athletes like Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag also carry broader significance. Their journeys and performances continue to inspire, demonstrating that excellence in sport transcends physical limitations when supported by determination, training, and opportunity.
With several individual finals still to be contested, India is well-positioned to further enhance its medal tally. The all-Indian clash in the compound women’s individual final will be a highlight, while multiple gold medal matches across categories provide opportunities to build on an already impressive campaign.
As the World Archery Para Series progresses, India’s showing in Bangkok serves as a strong statement ahead of future international competitions. The blend of experienced performers and emerging talent suggests that Indian para archery is not only thriving but also evolving into a consistent global force.
For now, the spotlight firmly remains on a golden run led by remarkable athletes—none more symbolic than Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag—who continue to redefine the limits of performance on the world stage.
