Paralympics 2024: Meet Sheetal Devi, India's 17-year-old odds-defying archery sensation

After India’s grim performance with few happy moments at the Paris Olympics 2024, the country’s contingent is competing in the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024. And one name that almost became an internet sensation isSheetal Devi.

The 17-year-old para athlete became the youngest competitor in the women’s archery category on Thursday (Aug 29), but that’s not even it. In the first round of archery, she came second with her personal best mark of 703 in the individual compound rankings round. Devi also bagged a new mixed compound world record of 1399 with partner Rakesh Kumar.

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Her recent perfect bullseye shot made the crowd erupt in cheer, and social media couldn’t help but go into jubilation and pride over Devi’s odds-defying skills.

Check out some X posts on Sheetal Devi’s recent display of her skill.

Paralympics 2024: Who is Sheetal Devi? India’s odds-defying archery sensation

Sheetal Devi was born in 2007 with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder leading to underdeveloped limbs. The condition led to Devi’s arms not forming fully. But that didn’t stop her from aiming for the moon and cut to 2023, Sheetal Devi’s name made headlines for the first time.

She claimed a silver medal in the open women’s compound archery event at the World Archery Para Championship 2023 in the Czech Republic in July.

Devi hails from Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. In 2019, Devi also attended a youth event in Kishtwar where her abilities were noticed by the India Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit. The Army decided to support her education and provide her with medical assistance.

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In 2023, she became the first female armless archer to win a medal at the Para World Championships. This medal also helped Devi obtain a quota for India for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Devi’s pursuit for excellence continues at the Asian Para Games 2023 and she clinched two gold medals in the individual compound and mixed team events apart from winning the silver medal in the women’s doubles competition.

Most of Devi’s coaching is based on Matt Stutzman’s style, an armless archer from the US who used his legs for archery. Using her legs and feet akin to para archery legend Stutzman, Devi embraced the unconventional shooting technique and became one of India’s best athletes.

In 2023, she was the Best Youth Athlete of the Year by the Asian Paralympic Committee. The Indian government also felicitated her with the Arjuna Award in 2023.

(With inputs from agencies)