New Delhi, Sep 28 (NationPress) Former Indian cricket legends Yuvraj Singh and VVS Laxman applauded para-archer Sheetal Devi after she captured a gold medal at the Para World Archery Championship.

Sheetal has continued her exceptional journey in para-archery by clinching the women’s compound individual gold at the 2025 Para World Archery Championships held in Gwangju, South Korea. She achieved a thrilling victory with a score of 146-143 against Turkiye’s top archer Oznur Cure Girdi on Saturday.

“Congratulations, Sheetal, for inspiring a nation and demonstrating that an indomitable spirit is unmatched! Born without arms and told that archery was unattainable, 18-year-old Sheetal Devi persevered through pain and skepticism to excel in her sport. Today, she is India’s first female Para World Archery Champion, proving that courage and faith can overcome any hurdle. Her story is a powerful testament that no aspiration is too far-fetched and no challenge too daunting when you refuse to surrender,” Yuvraj expressed on X.

“Huge congratulations to Sheetal Devi for becoming India’s inaugural female Para World Archery Champion. You are a true inspiration,” Laxman remarked on the microblogging site.

In the singles final, Sheetal displayed remarkable poise. After the initial end was tied at 29-29, she took command in the second end, scoring three consecutive 10s and winning it 30-27.

Even though the third end ended in a tie at 29-29 and she narrowly lost the fourth, Sheetal held a slight lead of 116-114. She saved her best for last, firing three perfect arrows in the final end to secure the gold with a score of 146-143.

Sheetal also participated alongside Sarita in the women’s open team final. They started strong, leading 38-37 after the first end. However, after strong comebacks from Turkiye’s Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un, the Indian duo struggled under pressure. A crucial seven in the final end allowed the Turkish pair to finish with 39 points out of 40, winning the match 152-148 and earning India a silver medal.

Earlier, Sheetal and Toman Kumar teamed up to secure a mixed team bronze by defeating Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen with a score of 152-149.

This gold-medal victory signifies a monumental achievement for the 18-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir, who concluded the championships with a remarkable total of three medals: gold in women’s compound individual, silver in the compound women’s open team event, and bronze in the mixed team competition.

–IANS

vi/bc