Sheetal Devi: The inspiring story of India's armless archer who is an Asian champion

Teenaged Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award on Tuesday at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. The 16-year-old armless archer hogged the limelight having earned three gold medals at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou last year. With this, she became the first Indian woman athlete to claim two gold medals in a single edition of the Asian Para Games.

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She also emerged as the first armless woman to clinch a Para World Archery Championships medal in July, having defeated Singapore’s Alim Nur Syahidah 144-142 in the gold medal-deciding fixture.

Who is Sheetal Devi? 

Sheetal Devi is currently the solitary international para-archery champion without upper limbs.

Hailing from Kishtwar, located in Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi was born with Phocomelia, a rare medical condition that caused underdeveloped limbs.

The physical challenge, however, did not deter Sheetal Devi from excelling in the field of sports. The story goes that scouts noticed her prowess in archery at a local event, organised by the Indian Army, back in 2021. She developed her skills under former archer and coach Kuldeep Vedwan’s tutelage.

In 2022, Sheetal Devi participated in the Junior National Championships among abled archers in Goa. Sheetal Devi did not win a medal in that tournament but her performance and an unorthodox technique did surprise many. Before that event, she had also featured in the Para Archery National Championship held in Haryana in March-April 2022.

Taking part in the Asian Para Games in October last year in her debut season, Sheetal Devi came up with sublime performances to enthrall everyone. She claimed gold medals in the individual compound and mixed team events as well. The teenager also succeeded in earning silver medal in the women’s doubles competition. Sheetal Devi continued her excellent run at the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Para Games 2023 by clinching gold medal.

A superb run of performances and a remarkable medal-winning show helped Sheetal Devi in being named the Best Youth Athlete of the Year by the Asian Paralympic Committee. She was also nominated for the coveted Arjuna Award.