Jammu and Kashmir’s armless para-archer Sheetal Devi successfully defended her gold medal at the Khelo India Para Games 2025, overcoming Odisha’s special quadruple amputee Payal Nag in a highly anticipated showdown at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday. In a gripping final of the compound archery open event, Sheetal staged a comeback to triumph 109-103, securing her second consecutive title at the tournament.
Despite the scorching heat in the national capital, archers displayed remarkable resilience. While seasoned athletes like Rakesh Kumar, 40, and Jyoti Baliyan, 30, claimed medals, the spotlight remained on teenage prodigies Sheetal, 18, and Payal, 17, who showcased their immense potential in the compound open category.
In the recurve open finals, Jharkhand’s Vijay Sundi edged out Haryana’s Vikas Bhakar 6-4 to claim the men’s gold, while Haryana’s Pooja secured victory over Maharashtra’s Rajshri Rathod by the same scoreline in the women’s event.
The women’s compound open final was the most eagerly awaited contest of the day. Payal made a stunning start with back-to-back perfect 10s, while Sheetal opened with scores of 8 and 7. However, the momentum shifted in the third round when Payal registered her first 7, allowing Sheetal to capitalise with a series of consistent 9s and 10s. In the decisive fifth round, Sheetal sealed the gold with a composed finish.
Speaking after her victory, Sheetal acknowledged her opponent’s effort and expressed gratitude for her success. “Firstly, Payal performed exceptionally well in the final. With her dedication, she will surely bring a medal for India soon. Personally, I am thankful for Mata Rani’s blessings that helped me win my second gold at the Khelo India Para Games,” she told SAI Media.
Payal, known for her humble and soft-spoken nature, reflected on her performance in her debut Khelo India Para Games. “Previously, I used two devices in my prosthetic legs to shoot, but now I rely on just one. Adjusting to this change was challenging, and the windy conditions added to the difficulty. However, reaching the final despite these hurdles is an achievement, and I am happy to have won the silver.”
Her coach, Kuldeep Vedwan, highlighted the remarkable nature of Payal’s journey. “She is the first woman archer in the world without all four limbs. Creating an additional device inside her prosthetic leg was a challenge. She now shoots with just one leg. Since this adaptation was made only a month ago, she essentially had to restart her para-archery career. Given her dedication over the past month, she fully deserved her silver medal today.”
Payal also shared a philosophical perspective on the sport. “The heat, wind, and tough conditions are nothing compared to the struggles and pain we have endured in life. We must learn to play through it all,” she said.
In the men’s compound open final, Rajasthan’s Shyam Sundar Swami edged past Chhattisgarh’s Toman Kumar in a nail-biting contest, winning 140-139. The bronze medal matches saw Rakesh Kumar display his trademark consistency, defeating Haryana’s Parmender 143-140, while Jyoti Baliyan prevailed over Delhi’s Lalpati 136-132.
In the recurve open bronze medal matches, Rajasthan’s Dhanna Godara and Jharkhand’s Sukriti Singh secured victories in the men’s and women’s events, respectively.