Indian duo of Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar claimed the bronze medal in the mixed team compound archery competition at the Paralympics 2024 on September 2nd. Their victory was secured with a nail-biting 156-155 win over Italy’s Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina, marking only the second time that India has won a medal in archery at the Paralympics.
A Remarkable Comeback After Semifinal Heartbreak
The road to the bronze was not easy for the Indian pair. Earlier in the day, they faced a dramatic defeat in the semifinals against Iran’s Fatemeh Hemmati and Hadi Nori. The match, which went into a shoot-off, saw the Indians narrowly missing out on the finals due to a score revision by the judges. Despite the disappointment, Sheetal and Rakesh showed immense resilience and came back stronger in the bronze medal match.
Coach Kuldeep Vedhwan praised their perseverance, especially highlighting the role of 17-year-old Sheetal, who became the first Indian woman to win an archery medal at the Paralympics. This win also makes her one of the youngest medalists in India’s Paralympic history.
The Bronze Medal Match: A Display of Grit and Precision
The bronze medal match was a rollercoaster of emotions for both teams. The Indian duo was trailing by a point with just four arrows left, as Sarti from Italy demonstrated exceptional form. However, Rakesh and Sheetal remained focused, shooting 10, 9, 10, 10 in the final end to bring their score to 155.
The Italian pair responded with 9, 9, 10, 10, tying the match at 155-155. It was at this critical juncture that the judge decided to take a closer look at Sheetal’s final shot, which was initially scored as a 9. Upon review, it was upgraded to a 10, giving India the edge and securing the bronze medal.
Semifinal Drama: A Battle of Nerves
In the semifinals against Iran, the Indian pair seemed on course for a win after the scores were tied at 152-152. The match went into a shoot-off, where both teams delivered perfect scores. However, the Iranian archer Fatemeh Hemmati had her arrow land closer to the bullseye, thus clinching the match for Iran.
The semifinal loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially after the Indians appeared to have won before a score revision by the target judge turned a 9 from Iran’s second arrow into a 10. This adjustment forced the contest into the shoot-off, where the Iranians ultimately prevailed.
Path to the Semifinals: A Dominant Performance
Before reaching the semifinals, Sheetal and Rakesh showcased their excellent form by defeating Indonesia’s Teodora Audi Ayudia Ferellyin and Ken Swagumilang with a 154-143 victory in the quarterfinals. The Indian pair, who were the top seeds in the mixed compound open event, dominated the match, sealing the win with a perfect 40 in the fourth and final end.
Their opponents in the semifinals, the Iranian duo, had earlier defeated Brazil’s Jane Karla Gogel and Reinaldo Vagner Charao Ferreira with a close 153-151 win in their quarterfinal match.
The Open Class Compound Archery Event
In the open class compound archery event, athletes shoot from a sitting position at a distance of 50 meters at an 80cm five-ring target. This classification is designed for archers with minimal strength in their arms, making it a true test of precision and mental focus.
Personal Journeys of Courage and Determination
The victory is even more significant when considering the personal challenges faced by both archers. Sheetal Devi, born in 2007 with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that results in underdeveloped limbs, has overcome immense physical challenges to become a top-tier archer. Her arms did not fully form, but her indomitable spirit and dedication to the sport have made her a Paralympic medalist at just 17 years old.
Rakesh Kumar, aged 39, suffered a spinal cord injury in 2009 that left him wheelchair-bound for life. His journey to recovery was marred by depression, and at one point, he even contemplated ending his life. However, Rakesh found a new purpose in archery, and his perseverance has now led him to win a Paralympic medal.
