Indian para archers shine with double gold, silver at World Archery Para Series

Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi, left, and others compete during the World Archery Para Series. (PTI photo) Indian para archers enjoyed a strong penultimate day at the World Archery Para Series Stage III, with the men’s recurve and compound team winning gold, while the women’s recurve team won silver.In the men’s mixed team final, reigning world champions Toman Kumar and Shyam Sunder Swami beat Iraq’s Abbas Kadhim and Anwer Aldawod 152-139 to claim the top prize.The recurve team of two-time Paralympic medalist Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi also finished on top after beating Slovakia’s David Ivan and Denis Ivan 6-2.Meanwhile, the Indian women’s recurve team of Bhawna and Pooja had to settle for silver after China won the final 6-0. The country also narrowly missed out on another medal in the women’s combined event, with Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag losing the bronze play-off to China.

Toman and Swami supply compound gold

Toman and Swami overcame a slow start to take control of the men’s mixed final.The Indian pair managed only 8 in the opening end but quickly raised the bar. Their accuracy improved over the next 12 arrows, during which they dropped just five points.This consistency allowed the Indians to build up a substantial advantage over their Iraqi adversaries. They kept up their scoring pressure for the remainder of the match to complete a convincing victory and secure the gold medal.

Harvinder is fighting back

Harvinder and Sundi had to recover from an early setback to secure India’s second team gold of the day.The Slovakian pair won the opening set 37-34 after India went 7 to 10. The Indians responded immediately and scored better in the following sets.Harvinder, who won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics before becoming the first Indian archer to win Paralympic gold at Paris 2024, has played a key role in India’s revival.India moved into a 4-2 lead after winning the third set 38-34, with the pair giving three tenths. They held their nerve in the fourth set, won it 35:31 and completed the victory 6:2.

Bhawna and Pooja take the silver

Bhawna and Pooja were no match for China in the women’s tumbling final, losing 0-6.China took the opening set 34-23 after India struggled with scores of 4, 5 and 6. The Indians improved in the second set, shooting three 8s and 9s, but still lost 33-35.The third set remained tight at 30-31, but again India struggled for consistency and failed to register a single 10 in the entire final.China were not at their clinical best either, but India’s inconsistent arrow placement allowed the Chinese pair to maintain their advantage and secure the gold.

Sheetal and Payal miss out on bronze

Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag were also left without a medal after China’s Wang Huiting and Gao Fangxia won the women’s mixed play-off for bronze.It was difficult for the Indian pair to maintain their score in the 16-dart competition. Their strongest spell came in the second end when they trailed by just one point at 73-74.However, a poor third end allowed China to open up a decisive gap. India could not recover from there and eventually had to settle for fourth place.With two golds and a silver on the penultimate day, India remains in contention for a strong position at the World Archery Para Series Stage III.