“Who says the sky can’t be pierced? Just throw a stone with determination.” Sheetal Devi proved this saying true at the age of just 17 when she won a bronze medal in mixed compound archery at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Her achievement inspired countless young women to believe that real strength lies not in the body, but in the spirit.
Motivated by her success, many girls turned toward sports, with archery becoming a chosen path for several. In recognition of her incredible journey, Sheetal Devi was honored at the Grihshobha Inspire Awards on March 20 at Travancore House in Delhi.
She became India’s youngest Paralympic medalist in archery and the second armless archer in Paralympic history to win a medal — an extraordinary feat by any measure.
A Journey from a Remote Village to Global Recognition
Sheetal hails from a small village called Loidhar in Jammu & Kashmir. Born with a rare condition called phocomelia, which causes underdevelopment of limbs, she grew up without fully developed arms. But this challenge never broke her spirit.
Turning Disability into Determination
Instead of viewing her physical condition as a limitation, Sheetal turned it into her strength. She made history by becoming the first armless female archer to win a medal at the 2023 World Archery Para Championships, where she claimed a silver medal on her international debut. That same year, she clinched a gold medal at the Asian Para Games.
Her path was far from easy. Behind her remarkable achievements lay years of struggle, resilience, and intense practice.
As a child, Sheetal loved climbing trees — a playful activity that significantly strengthened her upper body. Her passion for movement and strength found direction thanks to the Indian Army, which played a key role in launching her para archery career.
Discovery and Determination
In 2021, during a youth activity program in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian Army discovered her talent. Initially, her coach considered training her with prosthetics, but this method didn’t work effectively. After further research, they learned about Matt Stutzman, an American armless archer who won a silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics using his feet.
Inspired by Stutzman’s technique, Sheetal adopted the same method—using her feet and toes to hold the bow and her shoulder to draw the string. She trained at the academy of former archer Kuldeep Vedwan, where her journey as a world-class athlete truly began.
A Role Model for Millions
Today, Sheetal Devi is much more than a medalist — she’s a symbol of courage, resilience, and empowerment. Her story reminds us that with enough determination, nothing is impossible. Despite being born with physical challenges, she turned every obstacle into an opportunity and rose to international glory.
For countless young girls, Sheetal is not just an athlete but a beacon of hope and strength. Her life proves that no matter the circumstances, if you have the willpower, you can overcome anything.
