Sheetal Devi sets Asian record as Indian duo break mixed team world record

Okazaki: Indian archers Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar shattered the world record in the para compound mixed team event with an impressive performance at the Asian Para Games ranking round at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square in Okazaki on Monday.

The Indian duo scored 1,402 points to break the previous world record of 1,400, set earlier this year in Ahmedabad by Sheetal and Rakesh Kumar at the World Para Archery Series.

Their score also comfortably surpassed the Asian Para Games record of 1,382, set by China at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

Toman scored 698 out of a possible 720 points in the men’s compound ranking round, while Sheetal recorded 704 in the women’s event.

Sheetal’s score of 704 also set a new Asian record and equalled the world record in the women’s individual compound ranking round, adding another milestone to her career. The Indian duo will be among the favourites for gold in the mixed team final.

Sheetal topped the women’s individual compound qualification with 704 points. Singapore’s Nur Syahidah Alim finished a distant second with 683, followed by China’s Xueqing Xu with 680.

In the men’s individual compound ranking round, Toman finished third with a personal-best score of 698. China’s Yicheng Zhang set an Asian record with 708 points, ahead of compatriot Xinliang Ai, who scored 704.

Sheetal won gold in the women’s individual compound event at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou before claiming bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. She has also been crowned world champion, establishing herself among the sport’s elite at a young age.

Toman is a world champion in the men’s individual compound category and is also the world No. 1 in his classification.