Asian Para Games: Sheetal Devi-Payal Nag Bag Silver, Anubhav Wins Bronze
Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag secure India's first para-archery medal at Asian Para Games 2026, while Anubhav Choudhary bags bronze in 100m T35.
India continued its impressive run at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, adding more hardware to its tally. In a historic moment for the country, para-archers Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag secured a silver medal in the women's compound doubles event, marking India's first-ever medal in para-archery at these Games.
Archery Final: A Hard-Fought Silver
The duo of Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag entered the final with high hopes after topping the ranking round. However, the gold medal match proved to be a challenging encounter against the formidable Chinese pair, Xueqing Xu and Jing Zhao. Despite their early dominance in the tournament, the Indian archers struggled to maintain their rhythm in the final showdown.
The Chinese duo delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Indian pair 150-141. While the gold slipped away, the silver medal remains a significant milestone for Indian para-archery on the continental stage.
The Inspiring Journeys of Sheetal and Payal
The silver medalists bring extraordinary stories of resilience to the arena:
- Sheetal Devi: At just 19, Sheetal has already cemented her place as a sporting icon. She previously made history as India's youngest Paralympic medallist by winning bronze in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
- Payal Nag: Hailing from Balangir, Odisha, Payal's journey is one of immense courage. After losing all four limbs in an electrocution accident at the age of eight, she turned to sports. Under the guidance of coach Kuldeep Vedwan at the Maata Vaishno Devi Shrine Archery Academy in Katra, she rose to become a world-class athlete.
Athletics: Anubhav Choudhary Hits Personal Best
The success extended to the track as Anubhav Choudhary clinched a bronze medal in the men's 100m T35 event. Anubhav delivered a stellar performance, clocking a personal best of 12.72 seconds to secure third place, further strengthening India's reputation in sprint events.
Simran Sharma Sets New Record
Adding to the excitement, sprinter Simran Sharma continues to dominate the women's events. After winning the women's 200m title on Tuesday, Simran advanced to the final of the women's 100m T12 event. She didn't just win her heat; she did so in 12.13 seconds, setting a new Asian Para Games record in the process.
India's Standing in the Games
With these latest achievements, India has pushed its overall medal tally to 37. The country currently occupies the sixth position in the overall standings at the Asian Para Games 2026, showcasing a powerful blend of talent and determination across multiple sporting disciplines.