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China tops medal table as Sheetal Devi defends Asian Para Games title

24 October 2026

Aichi-Nagoya (Japan)

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China topped the para archery medal table at the Asian Para Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 with nine gold, four silver and six bronze medals, winning medals across every event.

The compound men’s final delivered one of the week’s closest contests, as China’s Ai Xinliang and Iran’s Amirmohammad Barani finished level at 144 points before Ai won gold in a shoot-off.

The 2018 Asian Para Games gold medallist took an early lead, but Barani fought back to force a tie in the final set. With the title on the line, Ai held his nerve to hit a 10 against Barani’s nine. China’s Zhang Yicheng claimed bronze after defeating India’s Toman Kumar.

In the compound women’s final, defending champion Sheetal Devi recovered from a difficult second set to defeat Singapore’s Nur Syahidah Alim 142-139.

After opening with 29 points apiece, Devi scored 26 as Alim shot a perfect 30. The Indian responded with a perfect 30 in the next set and held her advantage through the final two sets to retain her title. China’s Xu Xueqing won bronze.

Devi returned to the top of the podium in the compound mixed team event, where she and fellow world number one Kumar defeated Indonesia 151-148 for gold.

India built an early advantage with 38 points to Indonesia’s 37, then extended it with a 39-36 second set. Indonesia fought back in the third, but both teams scored 38 in the final set as India secured the victory.

China also claimed gold in compound women’s doubles. Xu Xueqing and Zaho Jing defeated India’s Devi and Payal Nag 150-141, with Thailand taking bronze.

The Chinese pair’s victory reflected a partnership built over many years.

“We have been good friends for more than 10 years and have trained together for six years,” Xu said. “Since joining the team, we have practically been inseparable. “We eat together and sleep together.”

Zhao said she focused on her own performance and trusted her partner to do the same.

“During the final, my only thought was to focus on myself, stay in the present and do what I needed to do. I tried to make as few mistakes as possible,” she said. “I trust my partner. I just needed to focus on doing my part well.”

China swept both W1 individual titles. Li Pan defeated defending champion Zhang Tianxin to win the men’s gold, while Kazakhstan’s Nurshat Toleukassym took bronze. In the women’s event, Cen Mengkan claimed gold ahead of India’s Swati Chaudhary, who secured India’s first medal in the category. Korea’s Kim Ok Geum finished third.

Korea’s Kwag Geonhwi took the recurve men’s title, defeating China’s Lixue Zhao, with teammate Duo Yun claiming bronze. China also topped the recurve women’s podium, as Zihan Gao beat Mongolia’s Selengee Demberel for gold. Xueqian Wang completed the podium with bronze.

Korea’s Kwak Geonhwi won the recurve men’s title, defeating China’s Zaho Lixue, while teammate Yun Duo claimed bronze. China also topped the recurve women’s podium, with Gao Zihan beating Mongolia’s Selengee Demberel for gold. Wang Xueqian completed the podium with bronze.

Image courtesy of Asian Paralympic Committee.