- By Gurmeet Batra
- Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Paris 2024 Paralympic: As the Paralympics approach, India is poised for an exciting campaign, building on the success of its para-athletes in Tokyo. A record-breaking contingent of 84 athletes will represent India in 12 sports at the Paris Games, marking the country's largest-ever presence at the Paralympics.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games are just around the corner, and Sheetal Devi, a gifted Indian archer and Asian Games medalist, is preparing to make her mark. Despite being born with phocomelia, a rare condition that affects limb growth, the 17-year-old has developed a unique technique to compete at the highest level without using her arms, inspiring countless fans with her determination and skill.
From humble beginnings in a Jammu and Kashmir village, Sheetal's journey to the Paris Paralympics is a shining example of courage and adaptability. Born with phocomelia, Sheetal never let her condition define her.
Introduced to archery by the Indian Army in 2021, she began with prosthetic arms and drew inspiration from Matt Stutzman's Paralympic achievements. A pivotal moment arrived at the 2022 National Para-Archery Championships, where Sheetal's skills and resolve earned recognition, paving the way for her Paralympic dreams.
Sheetal's 2023 season was marked by triumph, as she secured a silver medal at the World Championships and followed up with a spectacular showing at the Para-Asian Games, claiming two gold medals and a silver. Her dominance in the sport led to her being ranked World No. 1, and she was further recognized with the prestigious Best Women's Para Archer of the Year award from World Archery, celebrating her remarkable accomplishments.
Sheetal Devi vs The World
Sheetal Devi, the world's first and only female archer without arms, is a strong medal contender for India at the Paris Paralympics. Her recent bronze medal win at the Para-Archery World Ranking Event in Czechia demonstrated her skills, despite a close shoot-off loss to Great Britain's Jodie Grinham.
With a personal best score of 689, Sheetal is within striking distance of the world record (698) held by Phoebe Paterson Pine, the reigning Paralympic champion. The two will compete at the Paris Paralympics, setting the stage for an exciting showdown.
