Sheetal Devi equals world record with 704, sets new Asian para-archery mark
Synopsis
Nineteen-year-old Sheetal Devi walked into the Para Asian Games qualification round and walked out having equalled the world record — scoring 704 out of 720 and smashing the Asian record by six points. With compatriot Payal Nag also in the top five, India's women's compound camp looks stronger than it has ever been heading into the knockouts.
Key Takeaways
Sheetal Devi scored 704 out of 720 in the women's compound qualification round at the Para Asian Games on 19 October 2026 .
The score equalled the world record and set a new Asian record , surpassing the previous Asian mark of 698 by six points.
Compatriot Payal Nag finished joint fifth with 675 points , giving India two archers among the top qualifiers.
Sheetal previously won gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics .
Payal Nag claimed gold at the 2026 World Archery Para Series in Bangkok and has beaten Sheetal in international competition.
Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi delivered a stunning qualification-round performance at the Para Asian Games on 19 October 2026, scoring 704 out of 720 in the women's compound event at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The score equalled the world record and smashed the previous Asian record by six points, marking a landmark moment in India's para-archery campaign at the Games.
Record-Breaking Score
The 19-year-old from India surpassed the earlier Asian record of 698 with her tally of 704, placing herself at the very top of the women's compound qualification standings. The achievement underlined her status as one of the sport's premier athletes and positioned her as a leading gold-medal contender heading into the elimination rounds at Aichi-Nagoya.
Payal Nag Adds Depth to India's Challenge
Sheetal's record-equalling effort was backed by a strong showing from compatriot Payal Nag, who posted 675 points to finish joint fifth in the qualification standings. The result gave India two archers among the top performers in the event — a rare display of depth in a category where India has historically relied on a single standout name.
Payal has carved her own niche on the international circuit, having claimed gold medals at the 2026 World Archery Para Series in Bangkok. Notably, she has also defeated Sheetal in international competition, signalling the competitive quality within India's own camp in the women's compound category.
Sheetal's Medal-Laden Career
Sheetal's qualification performance adds to an already remarkable competitive record. She claimed gold in the women's compound individual event at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, followed by a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics in 2024. She has also earned world champion status — all before the age of 20 — cementing her place among global para-archery's elite.
This is not the first time Sheetal has operated at world-record level, but equalling the benchmark in a major Games qualification round carries particular weight, as it directly influences seedings for the knockout stages that follow.
What Comes Next
With a score of 704 securing a commanding qualification position, Sheetal enters the elimination rounds as a top seed. The knockout stages at Okazaki City will now determine whether she can convert qualification-round excellence into another major international title. India will also look to Payal Nag to carry her form forward as both archers pursue a place on the podium in Aichi-Nagoya.
Point of View
Not a final, which means she peaked at exactly the right moment. The deeper story, however, is Payal Nag's top-five finish. India rarely fields two world-class athletes in the same para-archery discipline simultaneously; that depth could prove decisive if both progress deep into the knockouts. The sport still operates below the mainstream radar in India despite these results — a contradiction that warrants attention from broadcasters and sponsors alike.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What score did Sheetal Devi shoot at the 2026 Para Asian Games?
Sheetal Devi scored 704 out of 720 in the women's compound qualification round at the Para Asian Games in Okazaki City on 19 October 2026. The score equalled the world record and set a new Asian record, beating the previous continental mark of 698 by six points.
What is the significance of Sheetal Devi's 704 score?
The score simultaneously equalled the women's compound para-archery world record and established a new Asian record. It also gives Sheetal the top seeding heading into the elimination rounds at the Para Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
How has Sheetal Devi performed at major events before?
Sheetal Devi won gold in the women's compound individual event at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and claimed bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. She has also been crowned world champion, all before turning 20.
Who is Payal Nag and how did she perform?
Payal Nag is an Indian para-archer who posted 675 points to finish joint fifth in the qualification round at the 2026 Para Asian Games. She previously won gold at the 2026 World Archery Para Series in Bangkok and has beaten Sheetal Devi in international competition.
What happens next for India's para-archers at the Para Asian Games?
Both Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag advance to the elimination rounds, where qualification scores determine seedings for the knockout stages. Sheetal enters as a top contender having equalled the world record, while India will also be looking to Payal to contend for a podium finish.
