She has no arms yet Sheetal Devi continues to hit every target with her feet. The armless Indian archer has achieved another historic milestone by earning a place among India’s able-bodied archers after finishing third in the national trials. The Paris Paralympics bronze medalist, who had earlier won gold, silver, and bronze on the same day at the Para Archery World Championships in South Korea last September, now adds a new feather to her cap.
Sheetal has been selected for India’s junior team for Stage 3 of the upcoming Asia Cup in Jeddah becoming the first para-athlete ever to qualify for an able-bodied international competition.
Born with phocomelia, a rare condition that left her without arms, Sheetal once gave up hope of becoming an athlete. But she went on to make history as India’s youngest Paralympian and world record holder. The Jammu and Kashmir archer began training at 14, and within just two years, represented India in multiple countries, astonishing the world by shooting arrows with her feet.
Now, by securing a place in the able-bodied national team, Sheetal has made history once again. She expressed her joy on social media, writing:
> “When I started archery, I had a small dream to compete with able-bodied athletes. This success didn’t come easily. I failed at first, but I learned from every failure. Today, that dream has come one step closer.”
The 18-year-old trains at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra. During the recent four-day trials in Sonepat, she competed against 60 able-bodied archers and finished third with a score of 11.75 points proving once again that determination can overcome any physical barrier.
