World Archery Para Champion and world number one Sheetal Devi topped compound women’s qualifying in Bangkok on Wednesday at the inaugural Hyundai World Archery Para Series event – and the first outdoor international of 2026.
The 19-year-old armless archer finished on 698, a full 20 points ahead of second-placed Zhanat Aitimova of Kazakhstan. Three other Indian athletes joined her in the top six: 18-year-old Payal Nag – first quadruple amputee in the history of the sport – Sarita and Jyoti.
In compound men, veteran Australian Jonathon Milne, a bronze medallist at the 2023 World Archery Para Championships, topped the ranking with 703, comfortably ahead of world number two and reigning world champion Toman Kumar on 689.
Vijay Sundi led recurve men on 641, three points ahead of reigning Paralympic Champion Harvinder Singh.
A familiar name also topped recurve women: Ziva Lavrinc of Slovenia, who shot 597 – a full 37 points clear of the field. Lavrinc is one of a handful of European athletes competing at this Asia-focused event, in a year when the Asian Para Games dominate the calendar for many squads.
Another veteran, Chaiwat Srinaulsoong of host nation Thailand, led W1 men with 641, while 66-year-old Kim Ok Geum of Korea topped the women’s ranking on 613. Kim’s medal at last year’s world para championships was highlighted as one of the standout moments of the competition.
Competition continues on Wednesday with team and individual eliminations. Finals take place on Saturday and will be streamed on archery+.
