Sheetal Devi, India's armless archer in women's individual compound competition narrowly missed the world record on August 29, Thursday. Sheetal, while participating in the ranking round scored 703 points destroying the Para Games and the world record but was overtaken by her opponent in the same field in the final shot of the qualification round. The duo shattered the records earlier held by Jessica Stretton (694 points in Para Games) and Phoebe Paterson (698 points WR), to qualify for the Round of 32 stages.
Sheetal had stayed in contention for the top position from the very start of the ranking round. She was amongst the top 2 archers in the field. Sheetal asserted her dominance with incredible consistency in the second half of the shooting, overtaking Brazil's Karla Gogel and Turkey's Oznur Cure. Just when it seemed like she would top the group by securing the records, Sheetal shot a 9 in her final attempt to finish with 703 points.
Sheetal's personal best was bettered by Oznur with 704 points when she shot a perfect series in her last attempt. The top two were much ahead of the rest of the field with Fatemah Hemmati and Jodie Grinham finishing third and fourth with 696 and 693 points respectively.
The previous world record holder Paterson finished in the 7th spot with 688 points, which was also her season's best effort.
SHEETAL DEVI'S JOURNEY
In a world where determination and resilience are often celebrated, India's Sheetal Devi stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Born with a rare congenital condition called phocomelia, which left her without arms, Sheetal has defied all odds to become a champion in the world of para archery.
Sheetal's journey began in her small village in Jammu and Kashmir, where she grew up with a passion for climbing trees and a strong will to overcome her physical limitations. Her innate athleticism was discovered by Indian Army coaches at a youth event in 2021, and they saw immense potential in her. Despite initial attempts to use prosthetics, Sheetal's coaches were inspired by the story of Matt Stutzman, an armless archer who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics. They decided to train her using her legs and feet, and the results were nothing short of remarkable.
Within just a year of training, Sheetal Devi made her mark on the international stage. She won two gold medals and a silver at the 2022 Asian Para Games, and her silver medal at the World Archery Para Championships 2023 in the Czech Republic secured a quota for India at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Her achievements have earned her the top ranking globally in the compound open women's division, making her a strong contender for gold at the Paralympics.
Sheetal's determination and skill have not gone unnoticed. She was awarded the Arjuna Award in January 2024, one of India's highest honors for sportspeople. Her coaches, Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vedwan, have been instrumental in her success, and her fellow archer Romica Sharma has been a constant source of support, helping her with daily tasks and providing emotional support during competitions.
As Sheetal prepares for the Paralympics, her story serves as a testament to the power of human spirit and the importance of perseverance. Despite the challenges she faces, she remains focused on her goal of winning gold, and her journey is an inspiration to para-athletes worldwide.
