The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games has already started and 17 year old archer Sheetal Devi will be one of the prominent faces in this mega event. The Indian archer from Jammu was born in 2007 with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder which makes her one of the very few archers in the world to compete in this sport without an arm.
We have often witnessed athletes overcoming adversity to succeed on a global stage and Sheetal Devi is an inspiration to many. Despite her limitations, Sheetal never has given up and it’s his will and determination that has been the reason for her success.
In 2022, her two coaches Kuldeep Vedwan and Abhilasha Chaudhary came to know of a device which is reportedly inspired by American archer Matt Stutzman who shoots with his legs.
The Indian Army played a pivotal role as Sheetal’s talent got recognition at an event organised by the Indian Army. Sheetal first used the Stutzman-inspired device at the Para Archery National Championship in Haryana in March-April 2022.
She also took part in the Junior National Championships and shone brightly despite not winning a medal. She took very little time to announce her arrival and claimed a gold medal at the 2023 World Championships followed by two golds and one silver at the Asian Para Games.
Sheetal also rounded off 2023 with a gold medal at the Khelo India Para Games 2023 and was also named the Best Youth Athlete of the Year by the Asian Paralympic Committee. She was also nominated for the prestigious Arjuna Award, the second highest honour after Khel Ratna for sportspersons.
Sheetal will be gunning to become the youngest Indian to win a gold medal at the Paralympics.
Sheetal Devi’s achievements
World Archery Para Championships 2023 silver medal – women’s individual compound open archery
Asian Para Games 2023 gold medal – women’s individual compound open archery
Asian Para Games 2023 gold medal – mixed doubles compound open archery
Asian Para Games 2023 silver medal – women’s doubles compound open archery
World No. 1 women’s compound para archer in the open category in 2023
Khelo India Para Games 2023 gold medal – women’s individual compound open archery
Arjuna Award 2023
Best Youth Athlete of the Year 2023 by the Asian Paralympic Committee
Best Women Para Archer of the Year 2023 by World Archery