Paris Paralympics 2024: Indian Archers Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar Clinch Bronze in Mixed Team Compound Archery

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Paris, Sep 2: In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, the Indian duo of Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar claimed the bronze medal in the mixed team compound archery competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Monday (September 2).

India has so far won, 14 medals at Paris Paralympics, with three gold, 5 silver, and six bronze medals.

The pair secured a narrow 156-155 victory over Italy's Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina, marking only the second time India has won a Paralympic medal in archery. This victory adds to India's growing list of achievements on the global archery stage, following Harvinder Singh's bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago.

A Dramatic Turn of Events for Indian Duo

The path to victory was anything but smooth for the Indian archers. With only four arrows remaining, they found themselves trailing by a point, with Sarti showcasing exceptional form despite her partner Bonacina's struggles. The tension escalated as every shot counted, and it seemed that the bronze might slip through their fingers.

However, a pivotal moment occurred when 17-year-old Sheetal's shot was upgraded after a revision, turning the tide in India's favour. This crucial adjustment enabled the Indian pair to hold their nerve and ultimately emerge victorious by the slimmest of margins. Their triumph was a testament to their mental fortitude and teamwork, qualities that were on full display throughout the competition.

Bouncing Back from Heartbreak

The bronze medal win was especially sweet for Sheetal and Rakesh, who had suffered a heartbreaking loss in the semifinals. In a dramatic shoot-off, they were narrowly defeated by Iran's Fatemeh Hemmati and Hadi Nori, dashing their hopes of reaching the final. Despite this setback, the Indian duo regrouped and displayed incredible resilience, turning their disappointment into determination to secure a podium finish.

PM Modi Lauds Archers' Teamwork

The victory has garnered widespread praise across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the accolades. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he congratulated the pair, stating, "Teamwork triumphs! Congratulations to Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar on winning the Bronze in Mixed Team Compound Open Archery. They have demonstrated remarkable dexterity and determination. India is delighted by this feat."

Sheetal - who is born with a congenital condition that left her without arms - is being lauded in the world for defying all odds to become one of India's top para-athletes. At just 17 years old, Sheetal made headlines with her performances at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

She is being hailed on social media for her incredible skill and precision, using her feet to shoot arrows with remarkable accuracy. Despite the challenges posed by her physical condition, she was determined to pursue sports and found her calling in archery.

This victory not only adds to India's medal tally at the Paris 2024 Paralympics but also sets a strong foundation for the future of Indian archery. With young talents like Sheetal Devi emerging on the international stage, the future looks promising for Indian archery, inspiring hope for more success in upcoming global competitions.