Sheetal Devi, an 18-year-old para archer from Jammu and Kashmir, has made history as the first Indian para athlete selected for the able-bodied national archery team.
In a landmark moment for Indian sports, Sheetal Devi, an 18-year-old para archer from Jammu and Kashmir, has made history by becoming the first Indian para athlete to qualify for the able-bodied national compound archery team. She is set to compete alongside able-bodied archers at the Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for December 2025. This historic selection follows rigorous trials held from November 3 to 6 at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat, Haryana, where she secured an impressive third place among over 60 participants with a qualifying score of 703.
Sheetal will join compatriots Tejal Rajendra Salve and Vaidehi Hirachandra Jadhav, who finished first and second respectively, to represent India in the women’s compound event. Her inclusion in the able-bodied squad marks a pioneering achievement in Indian sports, highlighting her exceptional skills and determination to transcend barriers. Born without arms due to a rare congenital condition called phocomelia, Sheetal has uniquely adapted her archery technique, using her legs and shoulders to draw and release the bow, earning her acclaim for both innovation and competitive excellence.
Reflecting on her journey, Sheetal shared the inspiration behind her determination: “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.” Her words resonate deeply with her remarkable achievements and relentless spirit in overcoming challenges and naysayers.
Sheetal’s rise in the archery world has been meteoric. In 2023, she made an indelible mark by winning two gold medals at the Asian Para Games and a silver at the World Archery Championships. That same year, she emerged as the world’s number one ranked para archer in the women’s compound category. At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she won a bronze medal in the mixed compound team event with Rakesh Kumar, becoming India’s youngest Paralympic medallist at just 17 years old, and only the second archer without arms ever to reach the Paralympic podium.
The crowning achievement came in 2025 when Sheetal became the first woman without arms to win a para world title at the World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. In a thrilling final, she defeated Turkey’s Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi, securing gold and further establishing herself as a global force in archery. She also earned a silver medal in the team event and a bronze in the mixed team category at the same championship.
Sheetal’s selection into the able-bodied national team not only challenges norms but also sets a new precedent for sports inclusivity in India. It underscores an evolving sports culture that evaluates athletes based on skill and performance rather than physical differences, inspiring countless aspiring athletes across the nation and beyond.
The Indian team for the Jeddah 2025 Asia Cup includes:
Recurve Men: Rampal Choudhary, Rohit Kumar, and Mayank Kumar.
Recurve Women: Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri, Vaishnavi Kulkarni, and Kratika Bichpuriya.
Compound Men: Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, and Devansh Singh.
Compound Women: Tejal Rajendra Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav, and Sheetal Devi.
Sheetal’s journey from overcoming physical challenges to excelling on both para and able-bodied platforms exemplifies extraordinary resilience and unwavering ambition. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, determination, and breaking down barriers, heralding a future where ability transcends limitations.
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