After facing defeat in the semi-final, the Indian pair of Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar bounced back and secured a bronze medal in the compound open archery mixed team event at the Paralympics. It was an intense match against the Italian team, but the Indians managed to come out on top with a score of 156-155. This is only the second time India has won a medal in archery at the Paralympics, with the first one being a bronze by Harvinder Singh in Tokyo 2020. Despite facing a tough challenge, Devi and Kumar showed remarkable composure and determination to secure the bronze for their country.
Indian Archery Duo Clinches Bronze at Paralympics: A Triumphant Comeback
India's Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi have added another feather to the nation's sporting cap, securing a bronze medal in the compound open archery mixed team event at the Tokyo Paralympics. This victory marks only the second time that India has won a medal in archery at the Paralympics.
Background
Rakesh Kumar, a native of Himachal Pradesh, has been practicing archery since 2018. He had previously represented India at the World Para Archery Championships, where he won a bronze medal in the men's individual compound event in 2019.
Sheetal Devi, from Rajasthan, took up archery in 2019 and quickly rose through the ranks. She has won multiple medals at international tournaments, including a gold medal in the women's individual compound event at the Asian Para Games in 2018.
Triumphant Comeback
In the Paralympics semi-final, Kumar and Devi faced a strong challenge from the South Korean team. Despite putting up a valiant fight, they narrowly lost with a score of 155-150. However, they refused to let the defeat dampen their spirits and regrouped for the bronze medal match.
In the bronze medal match, they faced the Italian team. The match was a nail-biter, with both teams trading sets throughout the contest. In the end, it came down to the final arrow, where Kumar sealed the victory for India with a perfect shot.
Significance
This bronze medal holds significant value for India, as it is the first medal won by the nation in archery at the Paralympics since Harvinder Singh's bronze in Tokyo 2020. It is also a testament to the growing strength of India's para-sports contingent.
FAQs
What is compound archery? Compound archery uses a mechanical release aid that reduces the strain on the archer's hand and allows for more accurate shots.
Who is Rakesh Kumar? Rakesh Kumar is a promising archer from Himachal Pradesh who has won multiple medals at international tournaments, including a bronze at the World Para Archery Championships in 2019.
Who is Sheetal Devi? Sheetal Devi is a rising star in archery from Rajasthan. She has won several medals at international events, including a gold at the Asian Para Games in 2018.
What was the score in the bronze medal match? India defeated Italy in the bronze medal match with a score of 156-155.
What was the first archery medal won by India at the Paralympics? The first archery medal won by India at the Paralympics was a bronze by Harvinder Singh in the men's individual compound event at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.
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