The story of Sheetal Devi becoming a gold medalist
Sheetal Devi
I don’t take two hands without saying gold medal, Shital Devi woke up.
Paris Paralympics 2024. Para-Archery Extraordinary Hero Sheetal Devi Sheetal Devi’s extraordinary journey from a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir to redefining the resilience of para-archery on the global stage showcases her incredible tenacity.
Born with the rare health condition phocomelia, she mastered archery using her legs, won gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games, and excelled at the 2024 Paralympics. Her achievements redefine resilience and inspire future para-athletes.
In a world where resilience is often celebrated but not always fully understood, India’s cool goddess emerges as a true source of inspiration.
World sees Sheetal: India’s unarmed archer nearly sets a new world record by finishing second in the ranking round
“He is only 17 years old and ranked No. 1 in his division. The way he shoots arrows with his jaws is incredible. He is a global story of inspiration,” said the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) member.
This is not the first time that the cool world has sparked media interest. Last year at the Para Asiad in Hangzhou, China, the Games’ local newspaper, Asiad Daily, profiled him on the front page on the day of his finals.
The story of Sheetal Devi becoming a gold medalist
Meet Sheetal Devi, an Indian archer who against all odds becomes a para archer.
Sheetal, however, is unfazed by all the attention and focuses on her goal. In Thursday’s ranking round, he shot a personal best of 703 out of 720 and broke the world record. Although it was soon developed in Turkey by Öznur Cüre (704).
“Every win motivates me to do better. A couple of years ago I didn’t know this would be my life. Now things are different. I’m here to make my country proud and qualify straight to the round of 16.
Talking about an archer without two hands,” he said.
How he plays with his background and who inspired him, the international media notes every little detail about him in mixed territory.
He started well with two sets of 59 seconds, including four in 10 seconds on his first 12 shots. Even when she trailed Iran’s Fatemeh Hemti by four points, she held her nerve and slowly climbed to the top of the leaderboard. After half break, Sheetal started shooting like a woman. Three 10s and three 10s meant it was a perfect set of 60 that took him to the top of the 28-player field. In the end, he finished second.
Sheetal Devi
Paris Paralympics 2024. Para-Archery Extraordinary Hero Sheetal Devi Sheetal Devi’s extraordinary journey from a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir to redefining the resilience of para-archery on the global stage showcases her incredible tenacity.
Sheetal’s Journey: Youth Event for Para-Archery Inspiration: Sheetal’s incredible story began at a youth event in Kishtwar in 2019, where her exceptional athletic prowess caught the attention of Indian Army coaches. Known for her ability to climb trees using only her legs, Sheetal’s unique physical strength and tenacity were undeniable.
In just 11 months, he was competing worldwide. She headlined the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, winning gold medals in the mixed doubles and women’s compound events. His achievements not only earned him respect but also challenged society’s view of the potential of para-athletes
Paralympics 2024: Sheetal Devi’s near world record performance and rise to elite para-archery status
Sheetal’s popularity rose during the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, when she competed in the women’s compound event. He was one point away from breaking the world record with a personal best of 703 points.
His performance was outstanding, keeping him in contention for the top spot throughout the ranking process. Although he narrowly missed the world record, his consistency and tenacity made him one of the best archers in the world.
Sheetal Devi
In January 2024, Sheetal’s remarkable achievements were recognized when she was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sporting honors. The recognition celebrated not only his success but also the greater significance of his journey – from a remote village to a global icon in para-archery. Behind Sheetal’s success is a dedicated team who believe in her potential.
His coaches, Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Bhedwan have been instrumental in his development through innovative training methods inspired by Matt Stutzman. Fellow archer Romika Sharma has also been an important source of support, helping Sheetal with daily tasks and providing emotional encouragement during competitions.
As Sheetal Devi prepares for future Paralympic events, her story continues to serve as a powerful reminder of human resilience. His unwavering focus on winning gold despite the challenges he faced is a testament to his extraordinary character.
Sheetal’s journey transcends the concept of overcoming physical limitations—it’s about breaking barriers, challenging social perceptions, and inspiring a new generation of para-athletes.
The story of Sheetal Devi becoming a gold medalist
Today from this story we learned that in any situation you can achieve your success, nothing is impossible, everything is not possible to do easily in this world, but if you work hard it can be done, nothing is impossible.
