Sheetal Devi: The Armless Archer Aiming for Paralympic Glory
Sheetal Devi, a 17-year-old archer from Jammu, is making waves in the world of archery. Born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that affects limb development, Sheetal has overcome adversity to become one of the only female archers in the world to compete internationally without the use of her arms.
Her journey began in 2022 when she met coaches Kuldeep Vedwan and Abhilasha Chaudhary. Inspired by her determination, they devised a customized device that allowed Sheetal to use her legs and upper body to shoot arrows.
Despite her family’s financial constraints, Coach Kuldeep sourced a bow that met Sheetal’s needs. The key challenge was strengthening her body to shoot arrows using her back and legs. “We had to balance the strength in her legs and modify it technically,” said Coach Abhilasha.
Through a rigorous training regimen, Sheetal progressed from hitting 5-meter targets to 50-meter targets within four months. In 2023, she made history by winning the gold medal in the women’s individual compound event at the Asian Para Games, becoming the first female armless archer to achieve this feat. She also won a medal at the Para World Championships.
Sheetal’s unwavering spirit and determination have earned her admiration from fellow archers. “She is a little stubborn and innocent, and she loves watching TV shows!” said Romica Sharma, a compound archer.
Despite her success, Sheetal remains focused on her ultimate goal: winning a medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “I plan to return home only after the Games end, hopefully with a medal,” she said.
Sheetal Devi’s story is an inspiration to all who face challenges. Her determination and resilience prove that anything is possible with hard work and the support of those around you.
