The third leg of the World Archery Para Series concluded in Ahmedabad with host nation India putting up an impressive performance on home soil. Indian archers wrapped up their campaign by securing a total of 15 medals, which included four gold, three silver, and eight bronze medals. In the overall medal tally, India finished second behind the Czech Republic, which claimed five gold medals to top the standings. Meanwhile, China secured the third position with a haul of two gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.
Strong Preparation for the Asian Para Games
This major event provided Indian para-archers with an ideal platform to test their skills and gear up for upcoming international challenges. With the Asian Para Games scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya from October 18 to 24, the tournament served as vital preparation. India's gold-winning campaign was spearheaded by Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh, who teamed up with Vijay Sundee to capture the para-recurve men's doubles title. On the concluding day of the competition, Harvinder partnered with Bhavana to clinch another gold medal in the para-recurve mixed team event.
Sheetal Devi and Men's Pairs Shine
Other members of the Indian contingent also delivered stellar performances with precise shooting. Shyam Sundar Swami and Toman Kumar secured India's third gold medal by winning the para-compound men's doubles event. Following this, world champion and Paris Paralympic bronze medallist Sheetal Devi claimed the individual title in the para-compound women's category. Sarita joined Sheetal on the podium by capturing a bronze medal in the same event. Additionally, Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar teamed up to secure a bronze medal in the para-compound mixed team competition.
Silver and Bronze Medals Add to the Tally
India's three silver medals were won by Bhavana and Pooja in the para-recurve women's doubles, Tanvi Ingle in the visually impaired category, and the mixed team of Swati Choudhary and Adil Mohammad Nazir Ansari in the women's first-class category. The Indian squad also claimed eight bronze medals, which included Yugal Garg finishing third in the visually impaired category. Swati Choudhary also secured a bronze medal in the women's individual event.
Highlighting her remarkable feat, written on X, Sheetal Devi leveled a nerve-wracking final at 144-144 before delivering a perfect 10 in the shoot-off to secure the gold medal for the nation.
Further Bronze Triumphs and Consistent Podiums
Earlier in the competition, Toman Kumar had bagged a bronze medal in the para-compound men's individual event, while Bhavana earned a bronze in the para-recurve women's individual category to finish with three medals overall. Swati later paired up with Vasundhara Teotia to claim another bronze in the women's first-class doubles event, bringing her total medal count to two. Adil also teamed up with Vinayak Breed to secure a bronze medal in the men's doubles category, rounding off his campaign with two medals.
