Sheetal Devi, a remarkable para-archer from India, has etched her name in history by securing a bronze medal in the mixed team compound archery event at the ongoing Paralympics 2024. Partnering with Rakesh Sharma, the duo triumphed over Italy’s Matteo Bonacina and Eleonora Sarti in a thrilling 156-155 encounter.
Despite her bronze medal triumph, Sheetal’s journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. She commenced her campaign with an impressive performance in the women’s compound qualification round, setting a new world record with a score of 703. However, her record was later surpassed by Turkey’s Oznur Girdi. Sheetal finished second in the qualification round but faced a setback in the 1/8 Elimination 8 round, losing to Chile’s Mariana Zuniga by a narrow margin of 137-138.
Sheetal’s unwavering determination and resilience have been instrumental in her success. Born with phocomelia, a condition that resulted in her being born without arms, she has overcome significant challenges. Her journey began in Jammu and Kashmir, where she was born on January 10, 2007. In 2019, she was discovered by the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit, who provided her with invaluable support in her education and medical care.
Prosthetics were not an option for Sheetal, but she discovered her exceptional ability to climb trees using her legs. Within a remarkable 11 months of training, she made her debut in the women’s compound event at the 2022 Asian Para Games, where she claimed two gold medals in mixed doubles and women’s individual, along with a silver in women’s double compound.
Sheetal’s achievements have not only brought glory to India but have also inspired countless individuals with disabilities. She is a testament to the indomitable spirit that resides within us all, proving that anything is possible with determination and support.
