Bhawna Wins Thrilling All-India Final as Sheetal Devi Completes Three-Medal Campaign at World Para Archery Series

India capped off another outstanding campaign at the World Para Archery Series in Nové Město, Czech Republic, with Bhawna winning the women's recurve title in a dramatic all-Indian final, while reigning world champion Sheetal Devi completed an impressive three-medal haul by adding an individual silver to the team medals she had already secured earlier in the tournament.

The final day once again showcased India's growing depth in para archery, with Indian archers reaching multiple medal matches across recurve and compound events. Alongside Bhawna's memorable victory, Harvinder Singh claimed silver in the men's recurve category, while Sheetal narrowly missed out on another gold after a closely contested compound women's final.

The results rounded off another highly successful international outing for India ahead of a busy season that includes major global championships.

The highlight of India's final day came in the women's recurve event, where Bhawna and Pooja guaranteed the country a gold and silver medal by setting up an all-Indian final. What followed was one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Pooja started strongly, taking complete control of the contest by winning the opening two sets 25-20 and 23-20, racing into a commanding 4-0 lead.

With Bhawna under immense pressure, the match appeared to be slipping away. However, the Indian archer responded with remarkable composure.

She edged the third set 25-24, keeping her hopes alive before the fourth set finished 26-26, allowing her to reduce the deficit to 5-3. The momentum had clearly shifted. In the decisive fifth set, Bhawna produced her finest shooting of the match, scoring an outstanding 29 points while conceding just 23, forcing the contest into a shoot-off.

With everything riding on a single arrow, Bhawna held her nerve. She shot 9, while Pooja managed 8, sealing a dramatic 6-5 victory and completing one of the finest comebacks of the competition. The result earned Bhawna the women's recurve gold, while Pooja settled for a well-deserved silver after an impressive tournament.

India's biggest para archery star, Sheetal Devi, once again demonstrated why she remains among the world's very best. Competing in the compound women's final, the reigning world champion faced Great Britain's Jodie Grinham in a high-quality gold medal match. Grinham established a narrow advantage early and managed to maintain that lead throughout the contest.

Despite another composed performance from Sheetal, the British archer held on to claim the title 143-141, leaving the Indian with the silver medal. Although the defeat prevented Sheetal from securing another gold, it completed a remarkable campaign in Czechia. Earlier in the tournament, she partnered Shyam Sundar Swami to win the compound mixed team gold, overcoming Indonesia 147-143 despite trailing at the halfway stage.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/india-wins-two-more-golds-at-world-archery-para-series-2026-finishes-day-with-four-medals

She also combined with Payal Nag to claim bronze in the compound women's doubles after edging Slovakia 140-139 in another closely fought contest. With one gold, one silver and one bronze, Sheetal finished the tournament as one of India's most successful athletes.

Paris Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh also reached the men's recurve final after another consistent week. The Indian faced Italy's Stefano Travisani in a closely contested gold medal match. Harvinder lost the opening set 26-29, before the second finished level at 25-25.

He fought back strongly by taking the third set 27-22, bringing himself back into contention. However, Travisani regained control by narrowly winning the fourth set 28-26.

The fifth set ended 27-27, allowing the Italian to secure a 6-4 victory and the gold medal. Harvinder's silver nevertheless capped another excellent international performance as he continues building momentum following his Paralympic success. India's medal tally received further boosts in the team competitions. The compound men's pair of Toman Kumar and Shyam Sundar Swami defeated France 150-148 to secure the bronze medal after an impressive display under pressure. 

Meanwhile, Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag claimed the compound women's team bronze with a dramatic 140-139 victory over Slovakia. The narrow one-point triumph highlighted the composure and precision displayed by the Indian pair throughout the competition.

Toman Kumar came close to adding another medal in the individual compound men's event. Competing in the bronze medal match against Great Britain's Nathan MacQueen, the Indian fought hard but eventually lost 144-136, narrowly missing out on another podium finish. Despite the disappointment, his bronze medal in the team competition ensured a successful tournament overall.

The performances in Nové Město once again underline India's emergence as one of the strongest nations in world para archery. Gold medals across multiple team events, individual podium finishes, and consistent performances from both experienced campaigners and rising stars reflect the depth that India has developed in recent years.

Bhawna's dramatic comeback victory, Sheetal Devi's three-medal campaign and Harvinder Singh's silver medal collectively reinforce India's credentials ahead of upcoming international competitions.

As preparations continue for future World Championships and the Los Angeles Paralympic cycle, the World Para Archery Series has provided further evidence that India possesses both the talent and the depth to remain a major force on the global para archery stage.