Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari Paris Paralympics 2024 Live Updates: The para archers could win India medals at Paris.
Indian para archers Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari Live: India’s para archers Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari have a chance to win India its sixth medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Saturday. India’s Sheetal Devi is taking on Chile’s Mariana Zuniga in the round of 16 while Sarita Kumari defeated Italy’s Eleonora Sarti 141-135 in their round of 16 encounter.
Sarita Kumari will compete in the quarter-final later today.
In the qualification round at the Paralympics, Sheetal Devi had beaten the existing world record, but was beaten to the record by Turkey’s Oznur Girdi Cure.
Scroll down to check all the live updates from the para archery event
Know more about Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari
Hailing from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi captured the world’s attention with her extraordinary talent. She was born without arms due to a condition called Phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that causes under-developed limbs. Her fortunes changed in 2019 when she was discovered by the Indian Army at a military camp. Recognising her potential, the army provided educational support and medical care.
Before the start of the Paris Paralympics, Sheetal was considered to be among India’s strongest contenders to win a gold medal at Paris 2024 after her exploits at Asian Para Games 2022 (held last year) where she won gold medals in individual and mixed team events besides a silver medal in the women’s team event. She also claimed an individual silver medal at the World Archery Para Championship last year.
Explained: How armless archer Sheetal Devi shoots
Meanwhile, Sarita Kumari hails from Faridabad, Haryana. Sarita is also one of India’s medal hopefuls in para archery, particularly after she won silver medal in the women’s team event at the Asian Para Games last year. She also claimed a gold medal in the mixed team event and a bronze in the women’s team event at last year’s World Archery Para Championship.
Live Blog
Sheetal Devi and Sarita Kumari Paris Paralympics 2024 LIVE: Follow all the updates from the para archery event on Saturday at 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France
Who are India’s top medal contenders?
Gold Medallist Avani Lekhara of India celebrates on the podium at the Tokyo Games. (Reuters)
Before Manu Bhaker in Paris, there was Avani Lekhara in Tokyo. A teenager back then, Avani was sensational at the last Paralympic Games, where she won two medals, including a gold that made her the first female Paralympic champion in India’s history. In Paris, she will compete in three events: Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1, Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone, Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1. The gold medal she’d be defending is in the 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event, and that will be first up for her. Also in shooting, Manish Narwal is a firm contender in Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 where he is the reigning Paralympic and World Champion. (READ MORE)
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First uploaded on: 31-08-2024 at 21:03 IST
