Dubai 2024 Para Archery: Gold for Rakesh, Pooja & Devi take medals too

DUBAI: Indian archers put up a good show at the 8th Fazza Para-Archery World Ranking Tournament – Dubai 2024 with world champion Rakesh Kumar clinching a gold and bronze medal here on Thursday.
With less than six months to go for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Rakesh defeated Indonesia’s Ken Swagumilang 147-143 in the Compound Men Open Individual event.

Tied at 59 after the second set, Rakesh shot two 10s and a X to take three-point lead. And the rest was history.

“I am very happy to get the gold medal here in Dubai. On the shooting line, I just listened to my coach and followed the same process I did in training".

“I focus on short-term goals; after Fazza I want to do well in Asia Cup in Bangkok. And my long-term goal is to do well at Paris 2024 Paralympics,” said Rakesh who celebrated the win with his coach Abhilasha Chaudhary. 

Silver for Pooja
In Recurve Women Open, Pooja Jatyan, the 2022 World Championships silver medallist, settled for the silver in Recurve Women Open after losing to Italy’s Elisabetta Mijno 6-0. Down 0-4, Jatyan faltered in the last set managing only 4 and 5 in the last two arrows.

Earlier, Rakesh and Sheetal Devi, the world’s first female armless archer, claimed a bronze medal in Compound Open Mixed Team defeating Republic of Korea 155-152. While Devi gave a strong start to India’s campaign, Rakesh finished off with two Xs to take the bronze.

Turkey claimed two gold medals in individual events – thanks to the efforts of Oznur Cure and Aydin Yigit Care winning the Compound Women Open and W1 Men finals.

As many as 232 players from 56 nations competed in the final Qualifying Tournament for Paris 2024 Paralympics at the Dubai Club for People of Determination grounds.