With the start of the Paris Paralympics 2024, all eyes are on 17-year-old Indian archer Sheetal Devi. Born with phocomelia, a rare disorder that leads to undeveloped or missing limbs, Sheetal has been competing internationally without using her arms.
Hailing from Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal had first seen archery when she was 15. With not many resources at hand, her way into the sport was unimaginable. But in 2022, coaches Kuldeep Vedwan and Abhilasha Chaudhary looked beyond that and started training her, making adjustments in the techniques to suit her peculiar skills.
Innovative Training and Breakthrough
With a customized bow fabricated locally, Sheetal’s coaches at the academy got her to shoot arrows with her legs and back. Starting with basic exercises using a rubber band, she soon began hitting 50-meter targets with a proper bow. Two years later, she scored six perfect 10s and captured gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games.
Achievements
Sheetal has also been the first lady armless archer who won a medal in the Para World Championships. Sheetal has not gone back home since her training began in Katra. Sheetal is fully aware of what is expected from her and would like to carry on with her winning streak in the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
All Eyes on Paris
In the run-up to Paralympics, Sheetal Devi stands tall as a harbinger of hope and determination, an inspiration for many.
The Sportz Planet Desk,
Atharva Shetye
