India Secures 13th Medal at Paris Paralympics: Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi Win Bronze in Thrilling Archery Showdown

Paris: In a nail-biting contest at the Paris Paralympics 2024, Indian archers Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi clinched a bronze medal in the Mixed Team Compound Open event. The Indian duo edged out Italy’s Matteo Bonacina and Eleonora Sarti with a close 156-155 victory in the third-place play-off match, adding to India’s growing medal tally at the Games.

This win marks India’s 13th medal at the Paris Paralympics, reflecting the nation’s strong performance across multiple sports disciplines. Kumar and Devi showcased remarkable composure under pressure, securing the victory by just a single point in the final round.

Earlier in the competition, Kumar and Devi had a heart-wrenching loss in the semi-finals against Iran’s Hadi Nori and Fatemeh Hemmati. The match ended in a tie at 152-152, leading to a tense shoot-off. Both teams scored a perfect 10 in the shoot-off, but the Iranian pair advanced due to a closer shot to the center—just 1.1mm away—while the Indian duo’s arrow landed 19.3mm from the bullseye.

Despite the disappointment of the semi-final loss, Kumar and Devi rebounded impressively in the bronze medal match, demonstrating their resilience and determination. Their triumph not only adds another medal to India’s Paralympic achievements but also highlights the country’s growing prowess in archery on the global stage.