A remarkable achievement unfolded in Gwangju on Saturday, September 27, 2025, as 18-year-old Indian armless archer Sheetal Devi made history. She clinched the gold medal in the women’s compound individual category at the Para World Archery Championship, triumphing over the reigning world No. 1, Oznur Cure Girdi of Turkiye, with a score of 146-143.
Sheetal is the sole armless archer participating in this prestigious competition, a testament to her extraordinary technique where she skillfully uses her feet and chin to shoot. This victory marked her third medal of the championships, solidifying her status as a rising star.
Her gold medal win was preceded by other significant achievements at the event. Sheetal previously secured a mixed team bronze in the compound event alongside Toman Kumar, where they triumphed over Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149. Furthermore, in the compound women’s open team event, Sheetal and her teammate Sarita earned a silver medal, narrowly missing gold in a match against Turkiye.
The individual final proved to be a nail-biting encounter, but Sheetal maintained exceptional consistency and composure throughout. The first end ended in a 29-all tie, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. In the second end, Sheetal demonstrated her precision by firing three perfect 10s, securing an early lead with a score of 30-27. The intensity continued into the third end, which again saw a tie at 29 points each.
A brief moment of imperfection occurred in the fourth end when Sheetal scored 28, allowing Girdi to gain a single point. However, Sheetal’s unwavering focus meant she still held a crucial two-point advantage at 116-114. She ultimately sealed her groundbreaking gold medal with a flawless final end, executing three perfect arrows to score a magnificent 30 points and secure her victory.
On her path to the final, the archer from Jammu and Kashmir showcased her dominance with a commanding 145-140 victory over Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham in the semifinals.
This thrilling gold medal match was a highly anticipated rematch of the 2023 Pilsen World Championships. Two years prior, Girdi had secured a narrow 140-138 victory over Sheetal. However, in Gwangju, Sheetal delivered a powerful performance, skillfully turning the tables to avenge her previous defeat and claim the world title.