India’s para-archery star Sheetal Devi delivered a record-breaking performance at the third stage of the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad, securing the top seed in the compound women’s qualification and setting a mixed team world record with Rakesh Kumar.
The 19-year-old armless archer produced a season-best score of 698 in the 72-arrow qualification round. Her outstanding performance improved her own Asian record by one point and placed her 10 points ahead of the field.
The world number one registered 25 tens and 26 Xs, making India’s international hosting debut a memorable occasion for the home supporters. The result also highlighted Devi’s excellent form ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, where she is expected to defend her compound women’s individual and mixed team titles.
Kazakhstan’s Aizada Seidan finished with a career-best 688, while Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Phoebe Paterson Pine scored 681 to take fifth position. Payal Nag, recognised as the world’s first quadruple-amputee archer, scored 654 and finished 14th.
India had another major reason to celebrate when Sheetal Devi partnered with experienced archer Rakesh Kumar in the compound mixed team qualification. The Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallists registered a combined score of 1,400 points, improving their own previous world record of 1,399 points set at the Paris Paralympic Games. Devi also earned the top seed in the compound women’s doubles after combining with Lalpati for a total score of 1,368.
In the compound men’s qualification, Indonesia’s Ken Swagumilang claimed the top position with a season-best score of 704, including 23 Xs. Rakesh Kumar finished just two points behind with a career-best 702, while reigning world champion Toman Kumar placed fourth with 696. Rakesh and Toman combined for 1,398 points to secure the top seed in the compound men’s doubles. The Ahmedabad stage of the 2026 Hyundai World Archery Para Series continues with the elimination rounds and VI1 finals.
