Actualités

Sheetal Devi wins compound world title as India doubles up

27 septembre 2025

Gwangju, Korea

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India’s Sheetal Devi became compound women’s world champion at the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Para Championships, beating defending champion Oznur Cure Girdi of Türkiye, 146–143, on the stage at 5.18 Democracy Square.

“I had a dream I would become world champion,” said Devi. “It made me want to work. I worked and worked and today I’ve got such a good result.”

The journey of Sheetal Devi, born with a rare congenital disorder that left her without arms, is perhaps the greatest legacy of the original ‘armless archer’ Matt Stutzman, who inspired both her and several other para archers to take up the sport.

Still only 18 years old, Devi’s career rocketed after she won her first major title at the 2022 Asian Games. Silver at Pilsen 2023 and mixed team bronze at Paris 2024 followed, making her no stranger to the sport’s biggest podiums.

The match in Gwangju was a repeat of the 2023 world final.

“The pressure wasn’t great,” said Devi. “I controlled myself and shot very calmly. My heartbeat wasn’t so fast, so there was less pressure. It felt amazing just to be in the finals again.”

Tied up after the first end, the match pivoted on the second, which Devi cleaned while Girdi dropped three points. That swing proved decisive, as the Indian maintained her advantage until the finish.

Both Devi and Girdi shot triple duty in compound on Saturday, competing in individual, team and mixed team events.

Girdi partnered Busra Fatma Un to win women’s doubles gold, beating Devi and Sarita 152-148. Devi added a mixed team bronze, while Girdi took silver in the mixed team final against China.

It was the only Chinese victory of the day, with the team losing the men’s doubles final to the USA and the women’s doubles final to Great Britain.

India also struck gold in the compound men’s event as Toman Kumar claimed the title after a disastrous technical failure for teammate Rakesh Kumar.

Rakesh, who had problems with a cam on his bow, was forced to withdraw after an end and a half, handing Toman the match.

“I took a lot of effort to practice,” said Toman. “We had camps. I practiced day and night to get here. So I’m very happy with the result.”

Great Britain’s Nathan MacQueen prevented an Indian podium sweep, beating Shyam Sunder Swami 148-141 for bronze.

The USA took a historic gold in the compound men’s team event, defeating reigning champions China, 156-153.

“We had a good game plan coming in,” said Kevin Polish. “Our timing was really on, we came in pretty confident. We knew if we did our system we had a good chance.”

“I couldn’t ask for a better teammate [than Ben Thompson] right now. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.”

Competition in Gwangju concludes on Sunday with the W1 and recurve finals. You can watch coverage with a subscription to archery+.