India Sweeps Top Seeds at World Archery Para Series

India's para archery team just delivered one of their strongest international performances yet, securing top rankings and direct semifinal entries at the World Archery Para Series.

Paralympic gold medalist Harvinder Singh led the charge with a third-place qualifying score of 636 out of 720 points in men's recurve open. He wasn't alone at the top. Three other Indian men joined him in the top 10, with all four advancing directly to the pre-quarterfinals.

Parveen finished fifth with 633 points, Sehajveer Singh scored 626 for sixth place, and Vijay Sundi claimed seventh with 618 points. In a field of 32 competitors, having four athletes skip early rounds signals serious depth.

The women's team matched their male counterparts with equally impressive results. Bhawana qualified third overall with 595 points, trailing only Indonesia's Noviera Ross and Iran's Somayeh Rahimi Ghadherijani. Pooja Kumari, Rajshri Rathod, and Pooja all landed in the top 10, giving India four direct entries to the pre-quarterfinals.

But the doubles events showcased India's real dominance. Harvinder and Parveen topped the entire men's doubles field with 1,269 combined points, earning the number one seed. That ranking sends them straight to the semifinals, meaning they're just one win away from a guaranteed medal.

Bhawana and Pooja Kumari repeated that success in women's doubles, scoring 1,168 points to claim the top seed and another direct semifinal spot. Two shots at medals before the finals even begin shows the strategic advantage of strong qualifying performances.

The Ripple Effect

India's para sports programs have transformed dramatically over the past decade. What started with modest medal hopes has grown into consistent podium dominance across multiple disciplines. These qualifying results reflect years of improved training facilities, coaching expertise, and institutional support for Paralympic athletes.

The mixed doubles team of Bhawana and Harvinder earned third seed with 1,231 points, setting up a quarterfinal matchup against Iraq. While not a direct semifinal entry, the favorable seeding gives them a clear path to medal contention.

India now has medal opportunities in five separate events at this series. Each athlete who advances creates momentum for teammates and proves to younger para archers that elite international success is achievable.

The pre-quarterfinals begin with Harvinder facing China's Gan Jun, while his teammates take on competitors from Slovakia and Indonesia. After these commanding qualifications, India enters match play as favorites in multiple categories for the first time at a World Archery Para Series event.