India’s para archery sensation Sheetal Devi, currently ranked World No.1, has her sights firmly set on the Para Asian Games in Japan at the end of the year, choosing to defer Paralympic dreams for LA 2028.
Honored as ‘Para Archer of the Year’ last month for a dominant 2025—including a triumphant world title in Gwangju—Sheetal shared her strategy at a Sports Authority of India press event.
‘I’m not one to plan way ahead, skipping to Paralympics,’ she explained. ‘Step by step is my way. In the World Series, I just aimed to perform at my peak. Asian Games come before Paralympics, so they’re my priority.’
Fresh from a silver at the 2026 World Archery Para Series—where compatriot Payal Nag clinched gold 139-136—Sheetal’s training for Japan is on track. ‘Everything’s going smoothly so far,’ she noted.
Coach Gaurav Sharma praised her resilience: ‘She’s holding strong without consecutive tournaments this year. Gold or silver, it’s sport. Thrilling that Payal, who idolizes Sheetal, brought it home for India.’
He highlighted the silver lining of domestic duels: ‘This early taste of intense Indian rivalry dispels the myth of only foreign threats. It ramps up our Asian Games readiness, fostering a competitive edge from within.’
Sheetal’s measured approach, blending recent accolades with pragmatic goal-setting, exemplifies elite athletic mindset. With Para Asian Games looming, expect her to dominate.
