The Paralympic Games in Paris have officially begun, and on the first day, Indian athletes shined brightly. Among them, the standout performance came from a remarkable 17-year-old archer, Sheetal Devi. Known to be the world’s first armless archer, Sheetal created history on her Paralympic debut. She scored an impressive 703 points during the ranking round of archery, breaking the world record. However, shortly after, Turkey’s Ozanur Girdi Kyur surpassed her score with 704 points, claiming the record for herself.
Celebrating Sheetal’s Achievement
Hailing from a small village in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi was born with a congenital condition known as phocomelia, which resulted in the absence of her arms. Despite facing significant challenges in her life, she never allowed these difficulties to deter her spirit. At just 17, she achieved an impressive score of 703 out of a possible 720 points, securing the second position in the ranking round. This score not only marked her personal best but also made her the first Indian woman archer to score over 700 points in a competition. Her outstanding performance has drawn admiration from sports enthusiasts, including Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who praised her talent and determination on social media.
🇮🇳🙌 Respect 🙏 Incredible Sheetal Devi 🇮🇳🙌
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 30, 2024
World and Paralympic Records
While Sheetal’s personal world record was overtaken, she and her teammate Rakesh Kumar made waves in the mixed team event. Together, they set both a new world and Paralympic record in archery. After Sheetal scored 703 points, Rakesh contributed with a score of 696 points in his ranking round. Their combined score of 1399 points is the highest achieved in this category so far, and they are successfully through to the quarterfinals, where they will compete at 8:40 PM on the 2nd.
#ParaArchery: Mixed Team Compound Open Update
WORLD & PARALYMPIC RECORD!
Team India comprising Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar smash their own world record & also set the new PR registering a combined score of 1399 after the end of their respective ranking rounds.
How Her Journey Began
Sheetal’s incredible journey into the world of archery began only a few years ago. Until she was 15, she had never even seen a bow and arrow. Her life changed dramatically in 2022 when she visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, approximately 200 kilometers away from her home. During this visit, she met her coach Abhilasha Chaudhary and another coach, Kuldeep Vedwan, who introduced her to the sport of archery. Shortly after, she moved to Katra to train and, within two years, she achieved the remarkable feat of setting a world record at the Paralympics.
Conclusion
Sheetal Devi’s inspiring story is a testament to overcoming adversity and exemplifies the spirit of perseverance. Her achievements not only spotlight her extraordinary talent but also inspire millions by showing that determination can lead to groundbreaking accomplishments, regardless of the hurdles one faces.
