- Young Indian phenom with missing limbs: 17-year-old archer strives for Olympic gold
Sheetal Devi: The Archer Defying Odds
Facing formidable circumstances, this Indian athlete's journey is nothing short of astonishing. Born with phocomelia, a condition that leaves her without arms from birth, she's barely let it hinder her passion for archery. In fact, it's fueled her resolve even further.
Devi has developed an extraordinary method of firing arrows. She first picks up an arrow with her foot. She straps a belt around her waist, into which she slots the arrow over her right shoulder. After setting her sights on the target, she leans back forcefully with her upper body and releases the arrow. It usually soars towards the 50-meter target, often landing near the center.
At the 2022 Asian Para Games, Devi made history by scoring six consecutive tens, a record in archery, earning her the gold medal. The previous year, she clinched silver at the World Para Archery Championships in Pilsen, Czech Republic, against Turkey's Oznur Cüre. Remarkably, she had only been practicing this sport for 11 months when she bagged her second medal at the Para World Championships. As the runner-up, she qualified for the Paralympics 2024 in Paris. Her ambitions in Paris are even grander.
Chasing Gold at the Paralympics
With an unwavering determination, Devi trains relentlessly for her victories. A YouTube video detailing her story shows her consistently shooting arrows, climbing stairs, working out her legs at the gym – even into the wee hours of the night. Devi's perseverance has resulted in recognition. The Asian Paralympic Committee named her the best young athlete of the year 2023. In addition, the Indian government honored her with the Arjuna Award for her exceptional sporting achievements.
At the Paralympics, Devi targets her next triumph. Competing in the open class with a compound bow, she currently holds the top spot in the women's world rankings. The BBC quotes her: "I'm driven to win gold." Looking at the medals she has won already, she finds motivation to claim more. "I've just begun," she says.
The Paralympic Games in Paris will commence on August 28 with the opening ceremony at 8 PM and conclude on September 8. Over 4,400 athletes from 184 delegations will participate in the competitions. Sheetal Devi is among them, and despite her youth, she confidently poses a strong contender for a medal.
Source: BBC
Devi's passion for sports, particularly archery, has led her to excel, defying the odds of her disability. Her next major milestone is participating in the 'Sports' category at the Paralympics 2024 in Paris.
Gaining recognition for her achievements, Devi has been named the best young athlete of the year by the Asian Paralympic Committee and awarded the Arjuna Award by the Indian government for her exceptional performance in 'Sports'.
