Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari Paris Paralympics 2024 Live Updates: The para archers could win India medals at Paris.Indian para archers Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari Highlights: India’s Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari were eliminated from the individual women’s archery event at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday. While Sheetal Devi was ousted by Chile’s Mariana Zuniga in the round of 16, Sarita Kumari lost to Turkey’s Oznur Girdi Cure in the quarters.
The 22-year-old Zuniga is a silver medallist from the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. The in-form Sarita defeated Italy’s Eleonora Sarti 141-135 in their round of 16 encounter, but ran into Cure in the quarters. In the qualification round at the Paralympics, Sheetal Devi had gone past the existing world record, but was beaten to the record by Turkey’s Oznur Girdi Cure.
India are looking for its sixth medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Scroll down to check all the live updates from the para archery event
Know more about Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari
Hailing from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi captured the world’s attention with her extraordinary talent. She was born without arms due to a condition called Phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that causes under-developed limbs. Her fortunes changed in 2019 when she was discovered by the Indian Army at a military camp. Recognising her potential, the army provided educational support and medical care.
Before the start of the Paris Paralympics, Sheetal was considered to be among India’s strongest contenders to win a gold medal at Paris 2024 after her exploits at Asian Para Games 2022 (held last year) where she won gold medals in individual and mixed team events besides a silver medal in the women’s team event. She also claimed an individual silver medal at the World Archery Para Championship last year.
Explained: How armless archer Sheetal Devi shoots
Meanwhile, Sarita Kumari hails from Faridabad, Haryana. Sarita is also one of India’s medal hopefuls in para archery, particularly after she won silver medal in the women’s team event at the Asian Para Games last year. She also claimed a gold medal in the mixed team event and a bronze in the women’s team event at last year’s World Archery Para Championship.
Gold Medallist Avani Lekhara of India celebrates on the podium at the Tokyo Games. (Reuters)
Sarita Kumari Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Sarita Kumari eliminated
So Sarita Kumari follows Sheetal Devi. Both Indian archers eliminated.
Sarita Kumari lost to Turkey’s Oznur Girdi Cure, who had set the world record ahead of Sheetal in qualification.
Sarita was trailing from the second arrow in the first end and never really recovered. She did, however, do remarkably well to claw her way back after she was trailing by five points (58-53) in the second end.
Sarita shot 29 in the third end and 30 in the fourth. In fact, Sarita shot six of her final nine arrows in the 10 ring, including three that hit the X. But it wasn't to be. Oznur Girdi Cure was shooting at a completely different level.
HERE'S HOW THE QUARTERS PANNED OUT
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Appreciation post for Sheetal Devi
Competing in her first Paralympics.
Competing against a Paralympics silver medallist from three years ago.
Trailing by a single point with just two arrows left.
So what does the 17-year-old do?
SHE SENDS AN ARROW BANG IN THE CENTRE OF THE TARGET!
But eventually, it was not to be for the Indian youngster.
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Here's how Sheetal and Zuniga shot
The Indian archer started brightly, taking the lead after the first end of three arrows. But then in the second end, there was a stray seven with her fifth arrow overall that allowed the Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist a way back into the contest.
Still, both Sheetal and Zuniga were deadlocked till the final end. A nine in the first arrow by the Chilean was the difference as the Indian lost by one point.
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Sheetal Devi loses
What a heartbreak for the Indian!
She and Zuniga were tied 111-111 after four ends with three arrows to decide their fate! Sheetal, competing in her first Paralympics shot 26, while Zuniga, the silver medallist from Tokyo 2020 shot 27 to edge past the Indian by ONE POINT!
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Sheetal vs Zuniga
In the third end, Zuniga shoots three nines. And Sheetal squanders the advantage she gained with a 10 by shooting a 8. After three ends (nine arrows), both archers are deadlocked. Two more ends coming, which means Sheetal has six more arrows to win this contest and progress to the quarters.
After third end: Sheetal Devi 82-82 Mariana Zuniga
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Sheetal vs Zuniga
A SEVEN IN HER FIFTH ARROW!!! OH DEAR!
That costs Sheetal Devi. She manages to score 26 in the second end while the Chilean scores 27 to level the scores after two ends (six arrows each).
After second end: Sheetal Devi 55-55 Mariana Zuniga
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Sheetal vs Zuniga
Sheetal Devi starts off with a 10, which is almost at the centre of the target. She hits another X with her second arrow before a nine in her third arrow in the first end. She scores 29 while her Chilena opponent can only score 28, with no Xs to her tally. A good start for Sheetal Devi.
After first end: Sheetal Devi 29-28 Mariana Zuniga
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Sheetal vs Zuniga
Sheetal Devi's opponent in the round of 16 is a 22-year-old from Chile, who was a Tokyo 202 silver medallist. She is also currently the World No 6.
However, the 17-year-old from India is the World No 1. So a nice contest up here
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Sarita to run into top seed!
Top seed and new World Record holder Oznur Cure finishes the round of 16 like that & a fine 143 overall.
This means it will be Turkey's Oznur versus India's Sarita in the quarterfinals. That match is coming up at 9.33 pm IST.
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: How does Sheetal Devi, the armless archer shoot?
Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi had made a remarkable start to the Paris 2024 Paralympics, almost setting the world record in the qualification round of the women's individual compound archery event. She did surpass the existing world record of 698, shooting an impressive 703 points out of 720. However, Turkey's Oznur Girdi Cure narrowly edged her out with a score of 704 points.
Despite missing out on the world record, Sheetal Devi's exceptional performance secured her a second-place finish in the overall ranking round, ensuring her place in the round of 16.
We present a visual guide to explain how Sheetal Devi shoots
Sheetal Devi Paris Paralympics 2024 Live: Indian archery sensation in action soon
India's Sheetal Devi will be in action in the round of 16 shortly. Her compatriot, Sarita Kumari, has already breezed through to the quarters after defeating Italy’s Eleonora Sarti 141-135 in their round of 16 encounter.