India’s hopes for a medal in the archery competition at the Paris Paralympics suffered a setback on Saturday as Sarita Kumari’s remarkable journey came to an end in the quarterfinals. The Faridabad native, who had secured the ninth seed in the qualifying round, showcased her skills in the initial rounds but ultimately fell to top-seeded Oznur Cure Girdi of Korea.
Despite a strong performance, including a flawless fourth end that matched Oznur’s score, Sarita was unable to overcome Oznur’s early lead, which was established thanks to three perfect 10s in the second end. Oznur’s consistent shooting, particularly in the early stages, proved decisive, securing her victory with a final score of 29 in the fifth end.
In another disappointing outcome for India, Sheetal Devi, the armless wonder, was eliminated from the last-16 stage in the compound women’s open category. Sheetal, an Asian Para Games double gold medalist and previous world record holder, had received a bye into the last-16 round but ultimately fell to experienced Chilean archer Mariana Zuniga.
Despite a strong start, Sheetal was unable to maintain momentum after the second end, eventually losing by a single point to Zuniga, who shot a 9 in the final arrow. This early elimination came as a surprise, given Sheetal’s status as the second seed.
While the Paris Paralympics witnessed these setbacks, they also showcased the determination and skill of these athletes as they competed on the global stage. Sarita had earlier dominated her pre-quarterfinal match, defeating Italy’s Eleonora Sarti 141-135, demonstrating her strong form heading into the quarterfinals.
In the open class of the archery competition, archers compete from a sitting position, shooting at a distance of 50m at an 80cm five-ring target, which consists of the 10-6 point bands. The competition requires precision, focus, and the ability to handle the pressure of high-stakes competition. Despite the setbacks experienced by Sarita and Sheetal, the Indian archers showcased their dedication and skill on the world stage.
