“Sheetal, Sarita Power Into Women’s Compound Team Final at World Archery Para C’ships”

Sheetal, Sarita Create History, Enter Women’s Compound Team Final at Para Archery Worlds.

India’s Sheetal Devi and Sarita scripted history on Friday, September 26, by becoming the first Indian pair to reach the final of the women’s compound team event at the World Archery Para Championships in South Korea.

The duo stunned top seeds Phoebe Paterson Pine and Jessica Stretton of Great Britain 152–150 in a tense semi-final, assuring India of at least four medals at the championships — the country’s best-ever haul at the event.

Semi-final Thriller

Sheetal and Sarita began strongly, posting 38 in the opening end to edge ahead by a point. The second round saw both teams locked at 38 apiece, leaving the contest finely balanced.

The breakthrough came in the third end when the British pair faltered with 36, while the Indians responded with a composed 39 to open up a decisive four-point lead. Despite Pine and Stretton rallying with 39 in the final end, Sheetal and Sarita held their nerve to close out the match 152–150.

Medal Prospects

For Sheetal, the final offers a chance at double glory as she is already through to the women’s compound individual final. Sarita, meanwhile, will aim to add another world title to her tally, having already won gold in the mixed team event at the previous edition.

Other Results

In the men’s compound team event, Rakesh Kumar and Toman Kumar were knocked out in the quarter-finals, losing narrowly 150–152 to Canada.

India’s struggles continued in the W1 and recurve categories, where the team finished without a medal for the second successive edition. The men’s recurve side withdrew after Harvinder Singh pulled out, while the women’s team lost their quarter-final to hosts Korea.

With four medals now confirmed, India has already achieved its best-ever performance at the World Archery Para Championships — and Sheetal and Sarita will have the chance to turn that success into gold.