Nagoya: Armless archer Sheetal Devi clinched two gold medals in less than two hours as India climbed to fourth place with 88 medals at the Asian Para Games here on Thursday.
The 19-year-old world champion first combined with Toman Kumar to defend the mixed team title, beating Indonesia 151-148, before overcoming Singapore’s Alim Nur Syahidah 142-139 in the women’s individual final.
India’s tally stood at 21 gold, 26 silver and 41 bronze, with para-athletics contributing 52 medals, including 18 gold.
Suvarna Raj opened the day’s gold medal account with a 15.66m effort in the women’s F54 discus throw. Shailesh Kumar led an Indian sweep of the men’s T63 high jump with a Games record 1.89m, while Anjanaben Bumbadiya and Dilip Mahadu Gavit won their respective 400m T47 races. Dharmaraj Solairaj defended his long jump title with an Asian record 7.15m.
India also collected medals in swimming, badminton and table tennis. Swati Chaudhary won silver in the women’s individual W1 archery event, India’s first medal in the category at the Games.
In badminton, Pramod Bhagat set up an all-Indian men’s singles SL3 final against Nitesh Kumar, who also reached the mixed doubles final. Naveen Sivakumar advanced to the men’s singles SL4 final.
