Armless Archer Sheetal Devi makes history with three medals at Asian Para Games in Hangzhou

Sheetal Devi, a remarkable 16-year-old archer hailing from Loidhar village in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, has etched her name in the annals of archery history. Sheetal, recognised by World Archery as the "first female archer without arms to compete internationally," achieved a triumphant feat at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, winning a total of three medals.

In an extraordinary display of skill and determination, Sheetal secured a silver medal in the women's doubles compound event. However, her most remarkable achievements came in the mixed doubles and women's individual competitions, where she struck Gold.

The pinnacle of her success was reached on a Friday morning when Sheetal won the women's compound event by defeating Alim Nur Syahidah of Singapore in the final at the Para Asian Games.

Ten, ten, ten! Perfect scores! Devi Sheetal shot six consecutive ten rings in the last two rounds at the final of Women's Ind. Compound and won her first individual gold medal of Asian Games.#Hangzhou #AsianParaGames #HangzhouAsianParaGames #4thAsianParaGames #Hangzhou2022APG… pic.twitter.com/CV40QHpAHm

— The 4th Asian Para Games Hangzhou Official (@19thAGofficial) October 27, 2023

Sheetal's journey to becoming an internationally recognised archer is even more inspiring considering her congenital condition. She was born with Phocomelia, an exceedingly rare disorder characterized by underdeveloped limbs. Despite this extraordinary challenge, Sheetal displayed unwavering determination and dedication to the sport of archery.

At the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Sheetal's accomplishments extended beyond her individual victories. She also secured a silver medal in the women's team event while partnering with Sarita. Additionally, she claimed a gold medal in the mixed team event alongside her partner, Rakesh Kumar. These medals collectively represent a significant milestone in Sheetal's archery career, particularly considering that she embarked on her archery journey just two years ago.

Amazing feat* feet! 🏹 🦶🏽

India’s sixteen-year-old armless archer Sheetal Devi won a silver medal at the Para Archery World Championships recently.

She fires the bow with her feet. The arrow is attached to her shoulder.#ParaArchery #Archery @worldarchery @ParalympicIndia pic.twitter.com/Nc8CWJXee7

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) August 7, 2023

Sheetal Devi's remarkable achievements at the Asian Para Games serve as a testament to her indomitable spirit and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her success transcends the world of sports, serving as an inspiration to all individuals facing challenges, encouraging them to persevere and strive for their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may encounter.

Also read: PM Modi says India ready to host 2036 Olympics, highlights manifold increase in govt spending on sports