By V.E.K.Madhushani, Jadetimes News
Turning Adversity into Triumph: The Inspiring Journey of an Armless Indian Archer
Seventeen year old Sheetal Devi, an extraordinary archer from Jammu, is challenging the limits of possibility as she prepares for the Paralympic Games in Paris. Born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that left her without arms, Devi has become the world’s first and only active female archer to compete without arms. Her journey is a testament to determination, resilience, and the power of the human spirit.
At a training academy in India, Devi picks up her bow using her right leg, draws the string back with her right shoulder, and releases the arrow with the strength of her jaw all while maintaining a calm and focused demeanor. Despite her physical challenges, Devi has risen to the top of her sport, becoming the world’s number one ranked archer in the compound open women’s category.
Devi’s journey into archery began just two years ago, when she visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sports complex in Katra. There, she met coaches Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vedwan, who recognized her potential and introduced her to the world of archery. Initially, Devi had never seen a bow and arrow before, but she quickly adapted, using the strength in her legs and upper body to develop a unique and effective shooting technique.
Her training routine began with small steps, such as aiming at targets placed just 5 meters away using a rubber band. Gradually, she advanced to shooting at 50 meter targets, the competition standard for the compound open category. Within just two years, Devi progressed from a novice archer to winning a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Para Games, where she hit six consecutive 10s in the final round of the women’s individual compound event.
Devi’s success has come at a personal cost. She hasn’t visited her family in two years, dedicating herself entirely to her training in Katra. Despite the challenges and sacrifices, she remains focused on her goal of winning a medal at the Paralympics.
“I believe that no one has any limitations; it’s just about wanting something enough and working as hard as you can," Devi said. "If I can do it, anyone else can.”
As she prepares for the Paralympics, Devi’s story serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating that with determination and hard work, even the most formidable obstacles can be overcome.
