INDIA’S para archers asserted their dominance on the international stage once again, delivering a blistering performance during the penultimate day of the World Archery Para Series Stage III. In a display of technical precision and unwavering composure, the Indian contingent secured two coveted gold medals and a hard-earned silver, further solidifying the nation’s status as an emerging powerhouse in global para-archery.
The day was defined by high-stakes drama and remarkable turnarounds, with seasoned veterans and rising stars alike stepping up to the line to represent their country. While the men’s compound and recurve teams stood tall atop the podium, the women’s side faced stiffer resistance, providing a balanced snapshot of the grit required to compete at the highest level of Paralympic sport.
Toman and Swami deliver compound gold
The men’s compound team final served as a masterclass in tactical recovery. Reigning world champion Toman Kumar and his partner, Shyam Sunder Swami, entered the match against Iraq’s Abbas Kadhim and Anwer Aldawod with high expectations, yet the opening end suggested a jittery start. A stray 8 threatened to disrupt their rhythm, but the duo demonstrated the exact mental fortitude that has defined their ascent in the sport.
Finding their composure almost immediately, Kumar and Swami surged forward, finding the gold ring with clinical efficiency. Over the next 12 arrows, they showcased a remarkable level of consistency, dropping just five points in total. This unrelenting pressure proved insurmountable for the Iraqi pair, who had no answer for the Indians’ mounting score. By the time the final arrow found its mark, the scoreboard read 152-139, confirming a decisive victory and the first gold of the day for India.
Harvinder leads recurve fightback
If the compound final was a display of sustained excellence, the men’s recurve final was a gritty testament to the “never-say-die” spirit of Paralympic athletes. The Indian pair of double Paralympic medallist Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi faced off against Slovakia’s David Ivan and Denis Ivan.
The match began with a setback; a lack of focus led to a 7, resulting in a 37-34 loss in the opening set. However, the experience of Harvinder Singh—who famously etched his name in history by following his Tokyo 2020 bronze with a historic gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics—proved invaluable. Singh recalibrated his aim, anchoring the team’s recovery in the subsequent sets.
India clawed their way back with a series of high-scoring arrows, finding their rhythm in the third set with a barrage of three 10s to take a 4-2 lead. The momentum was palpable, and the pressure shifted squarely onto the Slovaks. Holding their collective nerve, Singh and Sundi closed out the fourth set 35-31 to seal a 6-2 victory, adding a second gold medal to India’s burgeoning tally.
Bhawna and Pooja take silver
While the men’s teams celebrated, the women’s recurve duo of Bhawna and Pooja faced a formidable challenge against a polished Chinese side. The final proved to be a difficult outing, as the Indian pair struggled to find the middle of the target, resulting in a 0-6 defeat.
The opening set saw India grappling with nerves, evidenced by scores of 4, 5, and 6, which handed China an early 34-23 lead. Despite a significant improvement in the second set—where they landed a 9 and several 8s—they could not bridge the gap, losing 33-35. The third set was a tighter affair, but the lack of 10s across the entire contest made it difficult for India to put meaningful pressure on their opponents. While they walk away with silver, the experience will undoubtedly serve as a critical learning block for the pair as they look toward future international circuits.
Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag miss bronze
The day also saw a narrow disappointment in the women’s compound bronze-medal playoff, where teenage sensation Sheetal Devi and teammate Payal Nag fell to China’s Wang Huiting and Gao Fangxia.
The match was characterized by a lack of scoring consistency, though the Indian duo displayed flashes of brilliance. Their strongest performance came in the second end, where they trailed by a razor-thin margin of just one point at 73-74. Unfortunately, a difficult third end allowed the Chinese team to establish an insurmountable lead. Despite a valiant effort to claw back into the contest, the duo was forced to settle for fourth place.
A campaign of promise
As the dust settles on the penultimate day of the World Archery Para Series Stage III, the Indian team finds itself in an enviable position. With two gold medals and a silver secured, the contingent has proven that their success is not merely a product of individual talent but a result of deep, competitive depth across various disciplines.
The tournament has once again highlighted the rising profile of Indian para-archery. With the momentum built in Stage III, the team looks poised for a strong finish, signaling to the rest of the world that when they step onto the field, they are not just competing—they are aiming for the top of the podium. As these athletes pack their bows and reflect on the day’s performances, they do so with the knowledge that their efforts have once again moved the needle for Indian sports on the global stage.
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