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Armless archer Devi takes compound top seed, combines with Rakesh for mixed team world record

6 September 2026

Ahmedabad (India)

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World Archery Para Champion and home favourite Sheetal Devi made India’s international hosting debut one to remember, shooting a season-best 698 to top the compound women’s qualification at the third stage of the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The 19-year-old armless archer also improved her own Asian record by one point, having set the previous mark at the second stage in Nove Mesto. The world number one’s round featured 25 tens and 26 Xs — the X-ring being the central zone within the 10-ring used to break ties in qualification — as she finished 10 points clear of the field.

The performance also underlined Devi’s form ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, where she will defend her compound women’s individual and mixed team titles.

Kazakhstan’s world number 41 Aizada Seidan also produced a career-best 688, including 17 Xs. Tokyo 2020 Champion Phoebe Paterson Pine shot 681 to finish fifth, while Payal Nag, the world’s first quadruple amputee archer, scored 654 to be placed 14th in the 72-arrow qualification round.

There was more reason for the home team to celebrate as Devi combined with seasoned Rakesh Kumar to set a new world record in compound mixed team qualification, adding to their achievements together, including the Paris 2024 Paralympic mixed team bronze medal.

The duo combined for an incredible 1400 points to improve their previous world record, set at Paris 2024, by one point.

Devi also secured the top seed in the compound women’s doubles after combining with Lalpati for a score of 1368.

Indonesia’s world number five Ken Swagumilang topped the compound men’s qualification with a season-best 704, including 23 Xs.

Swagumilang, the silver medallist at Nove Mesto 2026 and a bronze medallist at the last Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, will be looking to carry his strong form into the continental multisport event, which is just 41 days away.

Rakesh finished two points behind Swagumilang with a career-best 702, while reigning world champion and compatriot Toman Kumar was fourth with 696. Rakesh and Toman also combined for 1398 to secure the top seed in the compound men’s doubles.

Competition at the Ahmedabad 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series continues on Monday with the elimination rounds and VI1 finals.