Indian para archers Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar won gold in the compound mixed team event at the Asian Para Games 2026 on Thursday, defeating Indonesia's Teodora Audi Ayudia Ferelly and Ken Swagumilang 151–148 to secure India's first archery gold medal of the edition, ANI reported. The pair led 38–37 after the first end, extended it to 77–73 in the second, held a three-point lead after the third and closed with 38 in the final end.

Source: ANI via Latestly

The Bridge, reporting independently from the venue, said the top seeds had shattered the world record in qualification by two points, and that Thursday's gold was Sheetal's second successive mixed-team title, having won it alongside Rakesh Kumar on her Games debut at Hangzhou 2023. Born without arms, world No. 1 Sheetal uses her feet and legs to position the bow and her shoulder and jaw to draw and release the string, The Bridge reported.

Source: The Bridge — Sheetal Devi, Toman Kumar win compound mixed team gold

In the semifinal, India survived a scare against Chinese Taipei's Yun-hsien Lee and Jyun-kai Yang, winning 142–141 after a missed shot by Toman put the pair under pressure before they recovered with three consecutive shots in the 10-ring, ANI reported.

Source: ANI via Devdiscourse

Second gold of the day for India

The archery victory marked India's 16th gold of the Games and the second on Thursday. Earlier, Suvarna Raj won gold in the women's discus throw F54 with a best effort of 15.66 metres, recording four throws beyond 15 metres in a six-athlete field, ANI reported.

Source: ANI via Latestly