In a landmark moment for Indian sports and global inclusivity, Sheetal Devi, the world’s armless para archery champion, has shattered conventional boundaries by becoming the first Indian para athlete to earn selection for the nation’s able-bodied archery team. This remarkable achievement not only highlights her superior skill and determination but also marks a new chapter in sports history—where ability, passion, and hard work triumph over physical limitations.
The Historic Selection
The milestone was crossed at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat, where selection trials from November 3 to 6, 2025, determined India’s squad for the upcoming Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Facing over 60 able-bodied compound women archers, Sheetal Devi placed third with a qualification score of 703, earning her a coveted spot in India’s national team alongside Tejal Rajendra Salve and Vaidehi Hirachandra Jadhav.
Sheetal Devi’s selection, unprecedented for any Indian para-athlete, demonstrates a commendable commitment to merit-based inclusivity within Indian sports. For Sheetal, born without arms due to a rare condition called phocomelia, competing at this level was once only a dream: “When I started competing, I had a small dream – to one day compete alongside the able-bodied… Today, that dream is one step closer,” she shared on social media.
Sheetal Devi’s Incredible Journey
Born on January 10, 2007, in Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi’s childhood was marked by both challenge and resilience. Diagnosed with phocomelia, Sheetal Devi adapted, developing remarkable core strength and dexterity in her legs, skills that later became her secret weapon on the archery field.
Her talents were first noticed at a youth event in Kishtwar by the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit, leading to support and specialised training. Sheetal’s coaches, Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Wadhwan, initially experimented with prosthetics, but it was her unique technique, which utilised her legs and shoulders to operate the bow, that made her a natural for adapted archery.
Despite initial trials and setbacks, Sheetal’s undaunted determination and discipline helped her rapidly ascend the ranks. By 2022, just 11 months after her formal training began, she set records at the Asian Para Games and World Championships, overcoming global competition with flair and becoming a role model for aspiring athletes worldwide.
Achievements and Accolades
Sheetal Devi’s medal tally is awe-inspiring, even among able-bodied competitors:
- Two gold medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games
- Silver at the 2023 World Archery Championships
- Bronze in the compound mixed team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics
- Gold at the 2025 World Para Archery Championships, Gwangju, defeating Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi (herself an able-bodied and para-athlete)
- Recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2023
Sheetal Devi became the youngest Indian Paralympic medallist at 17 and the second archer without arms to reach the Paralympic podium. Her 2025 championship win was historic, as she became the first woman without arms to secure a world title in para archery.
Her rise to world No. 1 in compound women’s para archery underscores not only her athleticism but also the transformative power of ambition.
Breaking Barriers
Sheetal Devi’s selection for the able-bodied team elevates her from para sports icon to a universal sporting figure. This once “impossible” dream, now a reality, epitomises the shift toward true inclusion and meritocracy in Indian sports. Sheetal’s journey shows that with the right support, skill and perseverance, physical differences are not insurmountable limitations.
- Her victory is a powerful symbol against stereotypes, forwarding the narrative that sports success is not defined by physical attributes but by commitment and character.
- Her journey encourages sports authorities to implement and strengthen inclusive policies, ensuring that talent and hard work are prioritised.
- As a role model, Sheetal inspires countless young athletes, both disabled and able-bodied, proving that excellence knows no boundaries.
The Impact on Indian Sports
Sheetal Devi’s story is more than a personal triumph; it’s a turning point for Indian sports culture, signalling heightened possibilities for athletes with disabilities. Other para-athletes, such as Praveen Kumar and Manish Narwal, have achieved national-level competition, but Sheetal’s international selection marks a new benchmark.
The ripple effects could be transformative, with sports federations now encouraged to pursue greater inclusivity, and coaches beginning to acknowledge the untapped potential of para-sport athletes for mainstream competitions.