Stories of grit and determination inspire us all. One such awe-inspiring tale is that of para archer Sheetal Devi, who hails from Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir. She has recently emerged as a shining star in the world of para sports. Her journey from climbing trees in her village all the way to the global archery stage, is the stuff of legends.
Born with Phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder which results in underdeveloped limbs, Sheetal's initial exposure to sports was at a youth event organised by the Indian Army in 2019. She told The Indian Express in an interview, ‘Initially, I could not even lift the bow properly. But, after practising for a couple of months, it became easier.’
(Picture courtesy: Instagram/ sheetal_archery)
According to an article on Scroll.in, a defining moment in Sheetal’s journey took place at a clinic in Bengaluru in 2021. As she awaited the fitting for a pair of prosthetic arms, the question posed to her was simple, but her response was profound. When asked about the first thing she wished to do with her new arms, she expressed a simple desire – to wear bangles.
Innovative Techniques: Archery With Feet and Mouth
While the original plan was to provide her with a prosthetic arm, fate led her to archery.
Witnessing various para archers with diverse disabilities sparked her keen interest in the sport. Seated on a chair, she adeptly uses her right leg to raise the bow and aim, using her right shoulder to pull the string back. A small instrument crafted by her coach and held in her mouth assists in releasing the arrow. She practiced tirelessly until she mastered the art of lifting the bow with her feet.
’My parents always had faith in me. My friends in the village also supported me. The only thing I didn’t like was the look on people’s faces when they realised that I don’t have arms. These medals prove that I am special. These medals are not just mine, but of the whole country,’ she told The Indian Express.
(Picture courtesy: Instagram/ sheetal_archery)
Recent Achievements
Her journey, however, is more than just a collection of victories. Over the past few years, Sheetal has consistently delivered outstanding performances in various national and international para archery competitions, but her story took a remarkable turn in late July when she became the first armless woman to win a medal at the World Para Archery Championships held in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
Recently, in October 2023, she won three medals at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. She bagged two gold medals in the women’s open individual compound and mixed team compound archery events, and added a silver in the women’s doubles compound event to her remarkable tally.
(Picture courtesy: Instagram/ sheetal_archery)
Important Milestones
Under the guidance of her coach Kuldeep Vedwan, Sheetal, who had no prior knowledge of archery, took up the sport with fervour. Using her feet to handle the bow and arrow, she has consistently hit the 10-point inner-circle on targets placed 50 meters away. Securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, Sheetal, today, has a beacon of inspiration for all.
(Picture courtesy: Instagram/ sheetal_archery)