Sheetal Devi Breaks World Record At Paris Paralympics But Still Doesn't Come 1st, Here's Why?

India's Para archer in Sheetal Devi broke the world record in women's individual compound competition at the Paris Paralympics 2024 by scoring 703/720 points in the ranking round. 

The armless archer, Sheetal Devi in doing so smashed the previous Paralympics world record which was of 698 by Phoebe Paterson. However, Sheetal Devi's world record was not enough for her to secure the first spot in compound competition. Here's why. 

How Sheetal Devi broke the world record but missed out on 1st position?

Sheetal Devi made the entire India proud on Day 1 of Paralympics 2024 as she broke the world record in archery with an excellent score of 703 to break the world record in Para games history. Sheetal's world record did not stand for long as Oznur Cure had a perfect final series to take her score to 704 and edge out Devi. 

Sheetal Devi despite narrowly missing out on keeping hold of her world record has created history for India. She has become the first female Indian para Archer ever to score more than 700 points in women's individual compound competition. To top it off, the score of 703 is her personal best as she finished in second seed and advanced to round of 32. 

Who Is Sheetal Devi?

After the heroics in the Para World Championship, where she became the first armless woman to win a Para World Archery Championships medal, the 17-year-old wonder girl from India combined with her teammate, Sarita, and clinched the Silver medal in women's doubles compound event at the Asian Para Games on Wednesday.

As para-athletes face the daunting task of facing all the odds, Sheetal fought her battle when she was just an infant. Sheetal was diagnosed with phocomelia syndrome when she was born, a condition under which limbs remain undeveloped.

Sheetal has come a long way and has beaten her disability. She took the sport just two years ago and made a thumping mark in a short span of time. She is going strong and will have her sights set on a podium finish at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.