India Makes Para Archery Hosting Debut in Ahmedabad
India is poised to make significant progress in para sports as Ahmedabad hosts the Hyundai World Archery Para Series for the first time from September 5 to 9. This event, part of the third stage of the 2026 international ranking circuit, will take place at the Sabarmati Riverfront and will feature top para archers from around the globe.
A total of 109 athletes from 19 countries will compete across various categories, including recurve, compound, W1, and visually impaired events. The schedule includes individual, team, and mixed-team competitions, with athletes vying for valuable world ranking points. The competition will kick off with recurve qualifying on September 5, followed by qualifying rounds for the compound, W1, and visually impaired categories on September 6. Team finals are set for September 8, and individual finals will take place on September 9.
This tournament holds special significance for India, as it marks the country’s first international para archery event on home soil. After a strong showing at the opening stage of the series in Bangkok, where Indian archers topped the medal table with seven golds, the nation is eager to continue this momentum.
The Indian contingent will feature a 29-member squad, with standout athletes including world number ones and reigning compound world champions Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar. Paris 2024 Paralympic mixed team bronze medalist Rakesh Kumar will bring valuable experience to the compound team, while reigning Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh and world number five Pooja will lead the recurve team.
Other strong competitors will include athletes from China, Czechia, and Great Britain. Many of these competitors, who performed well at the previous stage in Nove Mesto, will be looking to maintain their form in Ahmedabad.
The timing of this event is particularly advantageous, with the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games less than 50 days away. The Ahmedabad competition provides leading Asian archers with a valuable opportunity to challenge themselves against international rivals before heading to Japan.
Beyond the medals and rankings, Ahmedabad’s hosting of this event shines a spotlight on para archery in India. As the competition unfolds at the Sabarmati Riverfront, it is expected to combine top-tier sporting action with a crucial moment for the growth and visibility of para sports in the country.
