Growing up in the quaint village of Loidhar in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi had a simple dream: to adorn her arms with colorful bangles and watch them jingle as she raised her hands in joy. However, life had other plans for the 17-year-old, who was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital condition that left her without arms. Doctors deemed prosthetics unsuitable for her, leaving her heartbroken. Yet, Sheetal’s determination to lead a normal life propelled her to adapt in extraordinary ways.
With unwavering support from her family, she learned to navigate daily tasks using her feet. Her resilience allowed her to write, eat, climb trees, and manage household chores, all while nurturing her spirit. In a twist of fate, her athletic potential was recognized at a youth sports camp organized by the Indian Army in 2021, where coaches were impressed by her confidence and innate talent.
Sheetal’s journey into archery began in 2022 at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sports complex, where she met her coaches, including Kuldeep Vedwan. Using her feet to shoot, she embraced the sport, inspired by American archer Matt Stutzman, who also shoots with his feet. Despite initial doubts and physical challenges, Sheetal persevered, with her coach crafting a custom bow to suit her needs.
After just 11 months of training, Sheetal made history as India’s first female archer without arms to compete internationally. Her remarkable achievements include winning two gold medals and one silver at the 2023 Asian Para Games, where she became a symbol of hope for athletes with disabilities. She earned accolades such as the Arjuna Award and was named the Best Youth Athlete of the Year by the Asian Paralympic Committee.
Recently, Sheetal showcased her talent at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where she clinched a bronze medal in the Mixed Team Compound event, further solidifying her status as an inspiring figure in sports. Currently ranked first in the world in the compound open women’s category, she embodies the belief that limitations are merely challenges to overcome.
“Whenever I see the medals I’ve won, I feel inspired to achieve even more,” Sheetal declares, proving that with passion and hard work, anyone can defy the odds and achieve greatness.
