'Always A World Champion': Anand Mahindra's Heartfelt Note For Sheetal Devi Goes Viral

Para Archer Sheetal Devi scripted history on Saturday, becoming the first woman armless archer to win world championship gold in the compound individual event. Sheetal defeated Turkiye’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 to make a podium finish at the World Archery Para Championships in South Korea.

The only previous instant of an armless archer winning gold was in 2022 when USA’s Matt Stutzman stood on top of the podium during the Dubai World Championships.

Sheetal garnered massive praise for her historic achievement. Indian business tycoon Anand Mahindra took to microblogging site X and congratulated the para archer.

“Sheetal, you were always a World Champion in my eyes. And a World Champiom in winning hearts. The arrow you gifted me will remain

a treasured heirloom in my family. It will always inspire us to be as courageous as you,” Mahindra wrote.

Sheetal, you were always a World Champion in my eyes.

And a World Champiom in winning hearts.

The arrow you gifted me will remain a treasured heirloom in my family.

It will always inspire us to be as courageous as you…@ArcherSheetal

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/EN9WExYNW7

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 27, 2025

Earlier, Sheetal and Sarita clinched a silver medal in the compound women’s open team event after losing to Turkey in the final. The Indian duo began strongly, edging out Turkish pair Oznur Cure Girdi and Bursa Fatma Un 38-37 in the opening end.

The Indians produced three 10s from their first four arrows, while Turkey managed just one 10. However, the Turkish archers bounced back in the second end with three 10s and a nine to outscore India by a point and level the contest at 76-all.

The Indians produced three 10s from their first four arrows, while Turkey managed just one 10. However, the Turkish archers bounced back in the second end with three 10s and a nine to outscore India by a point and level the contest at 76-all.

The third end saw the momentum shift further as nerves appeared to affect the Indian duo. They managed just one 10, along with two 9s and an 8, to total 36.

(With Agency Inputs)