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Sheetal Devi improves Asian record, Kevin Polish edges three-way tie in Nove Mesto compound qualifying

30 juin 2026

Nove Mesto, Czechia

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Reigning World Archery Para champion Sheetal Devi fell one point short of matching her season best but still improved her own Asian record as she topped compound women’s qualifying at the second stage of the Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Nove Mesto.

The 19-year-old Indian shot an impressive 697, including 21 Xs, to finish 13 points clear of the field.

Singapore’s world number three Nur Syahidah Alim and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Champion Phoebe Paterson Pine both finished on 684, with Alim taking the second seed on X-count.

Teenager Payal Nag, the first quadruple amputee in the history of the sport, qualified eighth on 669, five points behind Paris 2024 bronze medallist Jodie Grinham. Nag shocked Devi to win her first international gold at the opening stage of the Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Bangkok in April.

The compound men’s qualifying was much closer.

USA’s Kevin Polish, India’s Rakesh Kumar and France’s Maxime Guérin all finished on 698, with Polish taking the top seed after shooting 27 Xs. Kumar had 21 and Guérin 17.

Polish, 43, was part of the USA that won compound men’s team gold at the 2025 World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju.

Two more Indians finished inside the top seven, with Shyam Sunder Swami and reigning World Archery Para Champion and world number one Toman Kumar also making strong starts.

Indonesia’s Kholidin, gold medallist at Bangkok 2026, topped recurve men’s qualifying with 644, two points clear of the field. Gwangju 2025 world champion Stefano Travisani qualified third, while reigning Paralympic Champion Harvinder Singh was five points back on 639.

India also led recurve women’s qualifying, with Bhawna shooting a career-best 570, including seven Xs and three 10s. She finished one point ahead of Indonesia’s Noviera Ross.

In W1 men, Italy’s Maurizio Panella took the top seed with 668, ahead of home favourite David Drahoninsky, the two-time Paralympic Champion, who qualified third.

There was more for the Czech crowd to celebrate in W1 women, where world number one Sarka Pultar Musilova topped the ranking with 649. Korea’s world number three Kim Ok Geum, who claimed the gold at Bangkok 2026, was third on 615.

Competition continues on Wednesday with team and individual eliminations. Finals take place on Saturday and will be streamed on archery+.