AICHI-NAGOYA, JAPAN — October 22, 2026 — Singapore para-archery star Nur Syahidah Alim has delivered another major international medal for her country, claiming silver in the women’s individual para compound event at the 2026 Asian Para Games after a closely contested final against Indian champion Sheetal Devi.
Competing at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Multipurpose Square on Thursday, the 41-year-old Singaporean fought for gold but ultimately fell 139–142 to Devi, one of the world’s leading para-archers.
The result marked Syahidah’s second consecutive silver medal at the Asian Para Games — and another dramatic encounter against the same opponent who denied her gold at the previous edition in Hangzhou, China.
But beyond the disappointment of narrowly missing the title, Syahidah’s performance reinforced her reputation as one of Singapore’s most accomplished para-athletes.
Singapore’s Syahidah Battles India’s Sheetal Devi for Gold
The women’s compound final brought together two archers with a competitive history stretching back several years.
Syahidah entered the contest seeking to improve on her silver-medal finish at the previous Asian Para Games.
Devi, meanwhile, was defending her title following an impressive campaign that included record-breaking performances.
The gold-medal match was closely fought, with the Indian eventually securing victory by three points.
For Syahidah, the result was another demonstration of her ability to compete against elite opposition on one of Asia’s biggest para-sport stages.
The silver medal also added to Singapore’s growing medal collection at the 2026 Games.
A Repeat of the 2023 Asian Para Games Final
The latest result carried particular significance because the same athletes met in the gold-medal match at the previous Asian Para Games.
At Hangzhou in October 2023, Syahidah lost 142–144 to Devi, finishing just two points behind the Indian champion.
That result delivered Singapore’s first-ever Asian Para Games medal in para archery.
Three years later, the two archers faced each other again — this time in Japan.
Although the final score was different, the podium order remained unchanged.
Devi retained the title, while Syahidah once again earned silver.
Their repeated encounters underline the high standard of competition in women’s para compound archery.
Syahidah Survives Dramatic Semifinal to Reach Gold-Medal Match
Syahidah’s journey to the final was far from straightforward.
She began her knockout campaign with a 143–139 victory over Kazakhstan’s Zhanat Aitimova in the round of 16.
She then defeated another Kazakh opponent, Aizada Seidan, by the same 143–139 score in the quarterfinals.
Her closest battle came in the semifinals against China’s Xu Xueping.
In a contest decided by a single point, Syahidah edged her Chinese opponent 145–144 to secure a place in the gold-medal match.
The semifinal victory was particularly significant because it guaranteed Singapore another Asian Para Games archery medal before the final had even begun.
Despite ultimately missing out on gold, Syahidah finished the tournament having secured three consecutive knockout victories against strong regional opponents.
From Paralympic Pioneer to World Champion
Syahidah’s latest achievement adds another chapter to an international sporting career that has helped raise the profile of para archery in Singapore.
She became the first female archer to represent Singapore at the Paralympic Games when she competed at Rio 2016.
She subsequently represented the country at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, becoming a three-time Paralympian.
In 2019, she made Singapore sporting history by becoming the country’s first world champion in para archery at the World Archery Para Championships.
Her achievements have established her as an important figure in Singapore’s para-sport community.
The 2026 Asian Para Games silver continues a career marked by international titles, major championship appearances and repeated podium finishes.
Sheetal Devi’s Record-Breaking Form Raises the Stakes
Syahidah’s opponent entered the competition in outstanding form.
During qualification on October 19, Devi scored 704 out of a possible 720 points, equalling the world record in the women’s para compound event.
The performance also improved her own Asian record and established a new Asian Para Games benchmark.
Devi subsequently teamed up with Toman Kumar to establish a world record in the mixed-team qualification event.
Her record-breaking performances demonstrated the competitive challenge facing every athlete in the women’s individual compound competition.
On October 22, Devi added another individual Asian Para Games gold medal to her achievements.
The result further strengthened her standing as one of para archery’s leading international competitors.
Singapore’s Medal Tally Climbs to Eight
Syahidah’s silver increased Singapore’s medal count at the 2026 Asian Para Games to eight.
As of the October 22 update, Team Singapore had collected three silver medals and five bronze medals.
The competition continues through October 24, meaning the final national medal tally has not yet been determined.
Singapore sent a delegation of 20 athletes competing across nine sports to the Games.
Syahidah’s performance adds to the country’s efforts to build a competitive para-sport program and support athletes competing at major regional and international events.
Why the Silver Medal Matters
Although silver means Syahidah narrowly missed another opportunity for gold, the achievement is significant for several reasons.
It demonstrates consistency at consecutive Asian Para Games, highlights her ability to overcome difficult knockout opponents and reinforces Singapore’s competitiveness in para archery.
Her career also illustrates the importance of long-term athlete development.
Maintaining international standards across multiple Paralympic cycles requires technical precision, coaching support, tournament experience and ongoing adaptation.
In compound archery, even a small difference in accuracy can determine the outcome of a medal match.
The final against Devi was decided by only three points.
Could Syahidah Still Add More International Titles?
At 41, Syahidah continues to perform at an elite level.
Her latest silver medal demonstrates that she remains capable of reaching major international finals against younger, highly ranked opponents.
Future opportunities will depend on competition schedules, selection criteria and her continued participation.
There has been no confirmed announcement in the reporting reviewed that she has secured a place at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Nevertheless, her success in Japan provides another substantial result in a career that has already included world championship gold and multiple Paralympic appearances.
What Happens Next?
The 2026 Asian Para Games will conclude on October 24, with Singapore’s remaining competitors seeking to add to the national medal tally.
For Syahidah, the silver medal represents another major achievement and a continuation of her long-running rivalry with Devi.
For Singapore, it is another reminder of the country’s growing history in international para sport.
Three years after a narrow defeat to the same opponent in Hangzhou, Nur Syahidah Alim has returned to the Asian Para Games podium. Gold slipped away once more, but her second consecutive silver confirms that she remains among Asia’s strongest para-archery competitors.
