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In a world that often focuses on limitations, 16-year-old Sheetal Devi from Jammu and Kashmir has shown what limitless determination truly looks like. Born without arms due to a rare condition called phocomelia.
Sheetal didn’t let her physical challenges define her. Instead, she rewrote the rulebook of archery and history with her grit, passion, and precision.
A Journey Born from Curiosity and Courage
Sheetal’s life changed when she was discovered during a disability outreach camp by the Indian Army. Observing her zest for life and agility with her feet, her mentor Colonel Sunil Sheoran encouraged her to take up archery. Inspired by Matt Stutzman—the famous American archer born without arms—Sheetal began her training in 2021, learning to shoot using her legs, shoulder, and jaw for support.
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The beginning wasn't easy. Adapting archery for someone without hands involved months of innovation, persistence, and practice. Her coaches and the army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit worked together to design a custom technique that would work for her unique abilities. The result? A shooting style that is now being praised globally.
Making History at the Asian Para Games
In 2022, at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Sheetal made the world take notice. She won two gold medals—in women’s compound archery and the mixed team event—and a silver medal in the women’s doubles. Each arrow she released was more than a point on a scoreboard; it was a testament to resilience and unshakable belief.
Her triumphs didn’t go unnoticed. In 2024, she was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest honors in sports, becoming the youngest recipient from Jammu and Kashmir to do so.
More Than a Medal Winner
Beyond the accolades, what sets Sheetal apart is her quiet confidence and humility. She continues to train, inspire, and break barriers—especially for young people with disabilities across India. Her story is a beacon of hope in rural areas where disability is often viewed through a lens of helplessness. Sheetal’s journey has helped reframe that narrative, proving that given the right opportunity, talent knows no bounds.
The Road Ahead
Today, Sheetal holds the World No.1 ranking in para-archery. She dreams of representing India at the Paralympics, and her coaches believe she’s on track for global dominance. But more importantly, she’s become a symbol of what’s possible when passion meets perseverance.
In Sheetal’s own words, “I don’t need arms to hold a bow. I just need to believe I can hit the target.”
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