Sheetal Devi Makes History, Becomes First Para-Athlete in India’s Able-Bodied Archery Team
Para-archer Sheetal Devi, the world compound champion born without arms, has created history once again by earning a place in India’s able-bodied junior archery team...
Para-archer Sheetal Devi, the world compound champion born without arms, has created history once again by earning a place in India’s able-bodied junior archery team for the upcoming Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah.
Her selection marks a landmark moment — the first time a para-athlete has been picked for an able-bodied Indian team in an international competition.
“When I started competing, I had a small dream — to one day compete alongside the able-bodied. I didn’t make it at first, but I kept going, learning from every setback. Today, that dream is one step closer,” Sheetal wrote on social media after the announcement.
The 18-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir, who trains at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, rose above intense competition at the four-day national selection trials in Sonipat. Competing against over 60 able-bodied archers under identical conditions, Sheetal finished third overall, scoring 703 points — 352 in the first round and 351 in the second — equalling the total of top qualifier Tejal Salve.
In the final rankings, Tejal (15.75 points) and Vaidehi Jadhav (15) secured the top two spots, while Sheetal took third with 11.75 points, narrowly edging Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe by just 0.25 points.
Already a bronze medallist in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Sheetal drew inspiration from Turkey’s Oznur Cure Girdi, the Paralympic champion who also competes at able-bodied world events.
This latest feat adds to her remarkable journey — earlier this year, she became the first female armless world champion in para archery.
Indian Teams for Asia Cup Stage 3 (Jeddah)
Recurve – Men: Rampal Choudhary (AAI), Rohit Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Mayank Kumar (Haryana)
Recurve – Women: Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri (Andhra Pradesh), Vaishnavi Kulkarni (Maharashtra), Kratika Bichpuriya (Madhya Pradesh)
Compound – Men: Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, Devansh Singh (all Rajasthan)
Compound – Women: Tejal Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav (both Maharashtra), Sheetal Devi (Jammu and Kashmir)