India's Armless Archer Shines in Paris Paralympics

India's 17-year-old armless archer Sheetal Devi from Jammu and Kashmir earned a direct entry to the round of 16 in the Paris Paralympics women's individual compound open ranking round. Devi, who shoots with her legs due to a congenital disorder, scored 703 points, finishing second in the ranking round.

India's 17-year-old armless archer, Sheetal Devi, from Jammu and Kashmir, delivered a remarkable performance in the women's individual compound open ranking round at the Paris Paralympics on Thursday, securing a direct entry to the round of 16.

Devi, born with a rare congenital disorder, phocomelia syndrome, which left her without arms, scored a total of 703 points out of a possible 720, finishing just one point behind Turkey's Oznur Girdi Cure, who set a world record with 704 points.

This performance also saw Devi surpass the previous record of 698 points set by Great Britain's Phoebe Pine Paterson earlier this month. Devi's impressive showing included shooting 59 10s and 24 Xs, ensuring her a position among the top contenders as she heads into the next rounds of the competition.

(With inputs from agencies.)