India’s 18-year-old sensation Sheetal Devi made history by winning the World Para Archery Championship in Gwangju on September 27, 2025. In a stunning performance, she defeated Turkey’s world No. 1, Oznur Cure Girdi, 146-143 to clinch gold in the women’s compound individual category.
This victory marks Sheetal’s third medal at the tournament. Earlier, she won a mixed team bronze alongside Toman Kumar, defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen 152-149. In the women’s open team event, she and Sarita claimed silver, finishing behind the Turkish team.
A Thrilling Final
The singles final was a tense contest, but Sheetal’s calm and composure stood out. The match opened with a 29-29 tie. In the second end, she landed a hat-trick of 10s to take the lead, winning 30-27. The third end was tied again, but even after losing the fourth by one point, she maintained her advantage at 116-114. In the final end, Sheetal hit three perfect arrows, scoring 30 to secure the gold medal.
In the semifinals, the Jammu and Kashmir archer had already showcased her dominance, defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham 145-140. This final was a rematch of the 2023 Pilsen World Championships, where Girdi had narrowly defeated Sheetal 140-138. This time, Sheetal turned the tables.
Team Event Silver
In the compound women’s open team final, Sheetal and Sarita started strong but eventually lost to Turkey’s Oznur Cure Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un, 148-152. Despite a promising start, the Indian duo could not match Turkey’s precision in the final end. Nonetheless, Sheetal’s individual brilliance shone through.
Overcoming the Odds
What makes Sheetal’s story truly remarkable is that she was born without arms, due to a congenital condition called phocomelia. She learned to hold the bow between her toes, notch arrows with her mouth, and draw them back using her chest and shoulder muscles. Her technique combines grace, precision, and strength, making her a once-in-a-generation athlete.
At 16, Sheetal became the first armless woman to win a World Championship silver and an Asian Games gold. Last year, she won a Paralympic bronze in the mixed team event. Her drive and hunger for excellence are unmatched.
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A Champion’s Mindset
Before the championships, Sheetal had told the BBC, “Whenever I see the medals I’ve won, I feel inspired to win more. Even when I shoot a nine, I think about how I can convert it into a ten on the next shot.”
Her determination paid off on September 27. After winning, she said, “I had a dream I would become world champion. It made me want to work. I worked and worked, and today I got such a good result.”
A Historic Moment for India
Sheetal Devi is now India’s first-ever para-world champion archer and the world’s first armless woman to claim a world championship title. At just 18, her story is one of resilience, talent, and sheer determination, inspiring athletes across the globe.
