Asian Para Games: Kokila Stuns World Champion to Reach Judo Final
Indian judoka Kokila stuns world champion to reach final, while archer Sheetal Devi equals world record at the Asian Para Games 2026.
India's campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, has reached a fever pitch as Indian athletes deliver masterclass performances across judo and archery. In a stunning turn of events on Monday, para-judoka Kokila pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, while archery sensation Sheetal Devi continued her dominance on the global stage.
Kokila’s Giant-Killing Act in Judo
The women's J2 -52kg category witnessed a historic clash as India's Kokila faced off against the reigning world champion, Liu Yi of China. In a high-stakes semifinal that kept spectators on the edge of their seats, Kokila managed to outmaneuver the champion to secure a golden score victory.
Kokila's strategic brilliance was evident as she scored one Waza-ari and one Yuko during the bout. Although Liu Yi managed to secure a Yuko, it wasn't enough to stop the Indian athlete's momentum. With this victory, Kokila has not only advanced to the gold medal match but has also guaranteed herself at least a silver medal.
Mixed Fortunes for Kapil Parmar
In the Men's J1 -70kg event, Paris Paralympics bronze medallist Kapil Parmar experienced a mix of triumph and heartbreak. Parmar had initially displayed dominant form to enter the semifinals, defeating Mongolia's Bat-erdene Baatarsuren with an Ippon in 4 minutes and 53 seconds, firmly placing himself in the top four.
However, his journey to the final was halted in the semifinal round. Kapil faced a tough challenge from Junaedi of Indonesia, who defeated him by ippon. Despite the loss, Kapil now moves forward to the bronze medal match, where he will fight for a spot on the podium.
Sheetal Devi Equals World Record in Archery
While the judokas fought on the mats, Sheetal Devi was creating history at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square. The Indian para-archer delivered a breathtaking performance in the women's compound archery ranking round, scoring 704 out of a possible 720 points.
This phenomenal score means Sheetal Devi has now equalled the world record, joining Turkey’s Oznur Cure as the joint holder of the title. Her performance was a display of absolute precision:
- World Record: Equalled with 704 points.
- Asian Record: Bettered her own previous mark of 698 (set in Bangkok) by six points.
- Asian Games Record: Surpassed her 2023 Hangzhou record of 680 points.
- Consistency: Scored exactly 352 points in each half of the qualification round, recording 32 Xs and 25 10s.
Strong Support from Payal Nag
India's archery strength was further bolstered by Payal Nag, who put up a formidable performance of her own. Payal scored 675 points to finish joint fifth in the qualification standings, recording 12 Xs and 20 10s. She showed great improvement throughout the round, scoring 334 points in the first half and rising to 341 in the second.
The synergy between the two athletes was evident in the Para compound women's doubles ranking round. Together, Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag topped the standings with a combined massive score of 1,379 points, setting a powerful tone for India's aspirations in Aichi-Nagoya.