Indian para-archers Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar shattered their own world record in the compound mixed team qualification round at the Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad on September 6, 2026. The Indian duo scored an extraordinary 1,400 points out of a possible 1,440, improving their previous record of 1,399 by one point.
The record-breaking performance came on Day 2 of the tournament at the Sabarmati Riverfront, which is hosting India’s first World Archery Para Series event. Their score also secured the pair the top seed heading into the elimination rounds. Sheetal, 19, further impressed by topping the individual women’s compound qualification with 698 points, while Rakesh produced a career-best 702 to finish second in the men’s qualification.
The achievement builds on their success at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where their previous world-record score helped them reach the mixed team bronze-medal match and eventually win a medal.
Historic Ahmedabad Para Event
The Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad marks a significant moment for Indian para sport, as it is the first time the country is hosting an international World Archery Para Series event. The competition is being held at the Sabarmati Riverfront from September 5 to 9, bringing together athletes from across the world. On September 6, Sheetal and Rakesh combined for 1,400 points during the compound mixed team qualification round, surpassing the record they had established in Paris.
Their performance earned them the top seed for the elimination stage, putting them in a strong position as they continue their campaign on home soil. The tournament provides Indian para-archers with the opportunity to compete against international opposition in front of a home crowd while giving greater visibility to para archery in the country.
Sheetal And Rakesh Shine
The mixed team record was only part of an impressive day for the two Indian archers. Sheetal Devi scored 698 out of 720 to finish first in the individual women’s compound qualification, securing the top seed.
The 19-year-old, who competes without arms, has emerged as one of the most recognisable young figures in international para archery. Rakesh Kumar also delivered a strong individual performance, shooting a career-best 702 points to finish second in the men’s compound qualification.
Their individual results complemented their mixed team achievement and demonstrated the consistency of both archers across different events. Together, their 1,400-point score showed how effectively the two have developed as a mixed team since their breakthrough performance at the Paris Paralympics.
Record Rewritten From Paris
The latest achievement has a direct connection to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where Sheetal and Rakesh first established their previous mixed team world record of 1,399 points during the ranking round.
They later converted that strong qualification performance into a bronze medal, giving India another memorable moment at the Paralympics.
Two years later, the pair have now returned to surpass their own benchmark. The one-point improvement may appear narrow, but reaching 1,400 in a qualification round demonstrates the extraordinary level of accuracy required in compound archery. More importantly, the progression suggests that the duo have continued to improve rather than simply maintaining the form that brought them success in Paris.
What The Record Represents
For Indian para sport, the performance represents a broader story about consistency, opportunity and changing perceptions. Breaking a world record once can signal a breakthrough; improving that same record later suggests sustained excellence at the highest level.
Sheetal’s rise has been particularly significant, with the teenager becoming a leading figure in international compound archery despite competing without arms. Rakesh, meanwhile, brings considerable experience and has repeatedly performed alongside her at major competitions.
Their partnership demonstrates the importance of creating competitive pathways where para athletes can develop, compete internationally and continually challenge existing benchmarks. Ahmedabad’s hosting of a major international event further creates a platform for Indian athletes to compete at home while allowing more people to witness elite para sport first-hand.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar’s world record deserves recognition not simply because the number has changed from 1,399 to 1,400, but because it represents progress built on progress.
Their journey from setting a world record and winning bronze in Paris to returning and surpassing their own mark is a powerful reminder that sporting excellence is not defined by limitations, but by the opportunities available to athletes to pursue their potential. India has made encouraging strides in para sport, but achievements like this should also encourage greater investment, visibility and accessibility for athletes across disciplines.
Para athletes deserve to be celebrated not as symbols of inspiration alone, but as elite competitors whose skill, preparation and achievements stand on their own. As India continues to host and compete in major para-sport events, what more can be done to give these athletes the recognition and opportunities they deserve?
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