Sheetal Devi - Indian Para-archer champion born with phocomelia
Nationality - Indian
Born - 10 January 2007 (age 17) in Loidhar, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Parent(s) - Mann Singh (father), Shakti Devi (mother)
Medal record - Asian Para Games 2022 Hangzhou - Individual Compound, Mixed Team Compound, Doubles Compound
Sheetal Devi is a remarkable Indian para-archer who has made headlines for her incredible achievements in the sport despite being born without arms due to a rare congenital condition called phocomelia. Born on January 10, 2007, in Loidhar village, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal's journey into archery began when her exceptional athletic abilities were discovered by Indian Army coaches at a youth event in 2021.
Early Life and Discovery
- Physical Condition: Sheetal was born with phocomelia, a condition that resulted in her arms not fully forming.
- Athletic Background: Despite her physical limitations, Sheetal was athletically gifted and enjoyed climbing trees, which helped build her strong upper body.
- Discovery by Indian Army: Coaches from the Indian Army noticed her potential at a youth event in Kishtwar and initially considered using prosthetics to aid her in archery. However, they later found inspiration in Matt Stutzman, an armless archer who shoots with his legs.
Achievements in Archery
- International Debut: Sheetal made her international debut at the Para Archery European Cup in the Czech Republic, where she won a silver medal in the compound open individual event and a gold medal in the mixed team event.
- Asian Para Games 2023: Sheetal won gold medals in the individual compound and mixed team events and a silver medal in the women’s doubles competition.
- World Archery Para Championships 2023: Sheetal claimed a silver medal in the open women's compound archery event, becoming the first female armless archer to win a medal at the Para World Championships.
- Paris Paralympics 2024: Sheetal finished second in the women's individual compound open ranking round with a score of 703 points, just one point shy of the world record set by Oznur Girdi Cure of Turkey.
Recognition and Impact
- Awards and Honors: Sheetal was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in January 2024 for her remarkable achievements in para-archery.
- Inspiration: Sheetal's story serves as a powerful reminder of human resilience and determination, inspiring a new generation of para-athletes worldwide.
Training and Technique
- Unique Shooting Technique: Sheetal shoots with her legs, using her right leg to hold the bow, her right shoulder to draw back the string, and her jaw to release the arrow.
- Coaching and Support: Sheetal is coached by Kuldeep Vedwan and has received support from the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), which provides her with necessary resources, including nutrition, personal coaching, and equipment.
