Sheetal Devi

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Sheetal Devi

| image = Sheetal Devi (Para-archer).png

| caption = Devi at the 2022 Asian Para Games

| nationality = Indian

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2007|1|10|df=y}}

| birth_place = Loidhar, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

| pb = 703 / 720 (2024)

1399 WR (2024)

| sport = Archery

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalSport|Women's Para-archery}}25px

{{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}}

{{MedalCount

| total = yes

| Paralympic Games

| 0

| 1

| World Championships

| 0

| 1

| 0

| Asian Para Games

| 2

| 1

| 0

| Asian Championships

| 1

| 0

}}

{{MedalCompetition|Paralympic Games}}File:IPC logo (2019).svg

}}

Sheetal Devi (born 10 January 2007) is an Indian para-archer. She won a bronze medal in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paralympics, becoming the youngest Indian Paralympian medalist. She won two gold medals and one silver at the 2022 Asian Para Games. Devi won a silver medal at the World Para Archery Championship, as well as a gold and a silver at the Asian Para Archery Championships. She is a recipient of the Arjuna Award and was ranked first in the para world archery rankings in 2023.

Devi was born with phocomelia, a rare medical condition resulting in the absence of arms. She is the first and only female para-archery champion without upper limbs.

Early life and education

Sheetal Devi was born on 10 January 2007{{cite web |title=DEVI Sheetal |work=Paris 2024 Paralympics |url=https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024-paralympics/athlete/sheetal-devi_2490256#bio |access-date=26 August 2024}} ([https://paris2024.rtve.es/es/paris-2024-paralimpicos/atleta/sheetal-devi_2490256 alternate link]) in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. She was born with a rare medical condition called phocomelia, which resulted in her being born without arms.{{Cite web |date=27 October 2023 |title=Asian Para Games: No arms? No problem for Asian para-archery champion Sheetal Devi |url=https://www.espn.in/espn/story/_/id/38754398/2022-asian-para-games-sheetal-devi-armless-archer-gold-medal |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}}

In 2019, she attended a youth event in Kishtwar, where she was noticed by the Indian Army's Rashtriya Rifles unit, which led to the army supporting her education and providing medical assistance.{{Cite web |date=4 August 2023 |title=World's first armless woman archer gets her wings at army camp in Jammu |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/armless-teen-archer-sheetal-devi-from-army-camp-to-world-championship-glory-101691132508387.html |access-date=27 October 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}

Career and achievements

File:Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi with PM Modi in 2024.jpg in 2024.]]

At a youth event organized by the Indian Army, Devi caught the attention of coaches Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Wadhwan, who were impressed by her confidence and decided to begin her training. Although they initially considered using prosthetics to assist her, doctors advised that it was not possible in her case. Devi's ability to climb trees using only her legs had significantly developed her core strength, which became important in her training.{{Cite web |title=How Sheetal Devi, India's First Female Armless Archer, Won Para Asiad Gold. Watch | Archery News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/archery/asian-para-games-archer-sheetal-devi-secures-gold-in-womens-individual-compound-4517980 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=NDTVSports.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=India Finishes Paralympics With Historic Tally: Meet The Inspiring Medallists | Page 1 |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/photogallery/lifes/india-finishes-paralympics-with-historic-tally-meet-the-inspiring-medallists/94096/1 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/arrow-of-hope-para-archer-sheetal-devi-s-journey-836661 |title=Video | Arrow Of Hope: Para Archer Sheetal Devi's Journey |language=en |access-date=13 September 2024 |via=www.ndtv.com}}{{Cite news |last=The Hindu Bureau |first=Sports |date=1 December 2023 |title=The armless archer Sheetal Devi, who has captured the imagination of the country with her courageous journey and inspired everyone with her two gold and a silver medal in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/para-archery/article67595101.ece |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

The coaches had never trained someone without arms for archery before. However, after researching and learning about Matt Stutzman, an archer who uses his legs, they began her training. Within 11 months of training, Devi competed in the women's compound bow event at the 2022 Asian Para Games,{{Cite web |date=27 October 2023 |title=Sheetal Devi: With three medals at Asian Para Games, 16-year-old armless archer from J&K is making waves |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/2-medals-at-asian-meet-16-year-old-from-jk-is-first-female-archer-without-arms-9001264/ |access-date=27 October 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=1 September 2024 |title=Watch: Paris crowd erupts in awe as armless archer Sheetal Devi hits the bullseye |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/paralympics/story/paris-paralympics-sheetal-devi-video-bullseye-crowd-commentators-delight-reaction-2591920-2024-09-01 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}} where she won two gold medals for India.{{Cite web |date=29 October 2023 |title=Sheetal Devi the armless archer की अद्भुत कहानी - हाथ नहीं है फिर भी जीते 3 मेडल |url=https://www.anmoll.com/news/sheetal-devi-the-armless-archer-first-indian-woman-to-win-2-asian-para-games-gold/ |access-date=29 October 2023 |website=Anmoll |language=Hindi}} She secured gold in the mixed doubles and women's individual, in addition to a silver medal in the women's double compound event,{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=27 October 2023 |title=Armless archer Sheetal Devi first Indian woman to win 2 Asian Para Games gold as country's medal rush continues |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/armless-archer-sheetal-devi-first-indian-woman-to-win-2-asian-para-games-gold-as-countrys-medal-rush-continues/article67465316.ece |access-date=27 October 2023 |issn=0971-751X}} which moved her to the top of the para world archery rankings in the women's compound open category.{{Cite news |date=28 November 2023 |title=Sheetal Devi becomes World No. 1 Para Archer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sheetal-devi-becomes-world-no-1-para-archer/articleshow/105569190.cms |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

On 9 January 2024, Devi received the Arjuna Award 2023 from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.{{Cite news |date=9 January 2024 |title=National Sports Awards 2023: Mohammed Shami, para-archer Sheetal Devi receive Arjuna awards - WATCH |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/national-sports-awards-2023-mohammed-shami-para-archer-sheetal-devi-receive-arjuna-awards-watch/articleshow/106658464.cms |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |last=Online |first=E. T. |date=9 January 2024 |title=Arjuna Awards 2023: Para-archer Sheetal Devi receives prestigious award from President Murmu |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/arjuna-awards-2023-para-archer-sheetal-devi-receives-prestigious-award-from-president-murmu/videoshow/106674108.cms?from=mdr |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=The Economic Times |language=en}} She became the youngest athlete to compete in women's para archery at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.{{Cite news |date=30 August 2024 |title=Paralympics 2024: Who is Sheetal Devi? 17-year-old scripts world record in archery |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/paralympics-2024-who-is-sheetal-devi-17-year-old-scripts-world-record-in-archery-101725012008888.html |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=Hindustan Times}} She surpassed the previous world record of 698 points in the ranking round with an impressive score of 703, qualifying for the 1/16 elimination round in the women's individual compound open category.{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=29 August 2024 |title=Sheetal sizzles, qualifies for the round of 16 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/sheetal-sizzles-qualifies-for-the-round-of-16/article68582774.ece |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |date=30 August 2024 |title=Paralympics: Sheetal Devi leads Indian archers' impressive show in ranking round |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/tennis/story/paralympics-sheetal-devi-india-archery-personal-best-ranking-round-2590417-2024-08-30 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Aldred |first=Tanya |date=31 August 2024 |title=Jodie Grinham shoots into history with Paralympic archery bronze while pregnant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/31/jodie-grinham-shoots-into-history-with-paralympic-archery-bronze-success |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Despite being eliminated by just 1 point in the 1/8 elimination round,{{Cite web |last=IANS |date=1 September 2024 |title=Paris Paralympics: Sheetal Devi bows out, Sarita misses semis spot |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/paris-paralympics-sheetal-devi-bows-out-sarita-misses-semis-spot-1503338190.html |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=31 August 2024 |title=Paralympics: Archer Sheetal loses pre-quarters, out of individual medal contention |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/paralympics/story/paris-paralympics-2024-sheetal-devi-misses-out-quarterfinals-mariana-zuniga-2591527-2024-08-31 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}} she overcame the setback by winning a bronze medal in the mixed team compound open category alongside Rakesh Kumar at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2 September 2024 |title=Indian duo of Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar wins bronze |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/olympics/indian-duo-of-sheetal-devi-and-rakesh-kumar-wins-bronze/article68598563.ece |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |date=3 September 2024 |title=Paris Paralympics: With mixed team archery bronze, Sheetal Devi adds another chapter to glorious legacy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/paris-paralympics-sheetal-devi-archery-bronze-medal-9546845/ |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

Awards

=International=

Best Youth Athlete of the Year 2023 by Asian Paralympic Committee{{cite news |title=Para Archer Sheetal Devi Wins Best Youth Athlete Of 2023 Honour At Asian Awards |website=The Chenab Times |date=27 November 2023 |url=https://thechenabtimes.com/2023/11/27/para-archer-sheetal-devi-wins-best-youth-athlete-of-2023-honour-at-asian-awards/ |access-date=27 November 2023}}{{cite news |title=Sheetal Devi, India's 16-Year-Old Para Archery Champion, Wins Best Youth Athlete Of 2023 Honour At Asian Awards |website=Outlook (magazine) |date=26 November 2023 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/sheetal-devi-india-s-16-year-old-para-archery-champion-wins-best-youth-athlete-of-2023-honour-at-asian-awards-news-332990 |access-date=27 November 2023}}
Best Women Para Archer of the Year 2023 by World Archery{{Cite news |date=29 August 2024 |title=Meet Sheetal Devi, Indian archer who became a Para archery sensation against all odds |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/meet-sheetal-devi-indian-archer-who-became-a-para-archery-sensation-against-all-odds/articleshow/112900075.cms?from=mdr |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}

=National=

Arjuna award (2023){{cite news |title=The Golden Girl of India Sheetal Devi receives Arjuna Award from President of India |website=India Today |date=9 January 2024 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/sheetal-devi-arjuna-award-president-of-india-2486393-2024-01-09 |access-date=9 January 2024}}{{Cite web |date=10 January 2024 |title=Sheetal Devi Honoured With Arjuna Award: Well-Deserved Birthday Gift To World's No. 1 Para-Archer At 17 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/good-news/meet-sheetal-devi-para-archer-from-jk-honoured-with-arjuna-award-article-106664916 |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=TimesNow |language=en}}

References

External links

{{World Archery|48250/sheetal-devi|}}
{{IPC}}
[https://olympics.com/en/news/who-is-sheetal-devi-india-women-para-archer Sheetal Devi: The armless odds-defying wonder para archer] at Olympics.com
[https://olympics.com/en/news/sheetal-devi-indian-para-archer-interview Sheetal Devi reveals her Olympic dreams and sacrifices] at Olympics.com
[https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-paralympics-archery-india-sheetal-devi-ranking-round Paris 2024 Paralympics: India's armless archer Sheetal Devi falls one point short of world record] at Olympics.com
[https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024/video/meet-india-sheetal-devi Meet India's Sheetal Devi] at Paralympic.org
[https://web.archive.org/web/20240908050210/https://shillongteerkhela.com/ Shillong teer]
{{Instagram}}

{{Subject bar

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Category:Living people

Category:2007 births

Category:Indian female archers