Sheetal Devi: Devi’s Bullseye Shot Goes Viral
Sheetal Devi, a remarkable 17-year-old Indian para-archer, has made headlines at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with her extraordinary performances. Competing in the Women’s Individual Compound Open event, she narrowly missed advancing to the quarterfinals, losing by just one point (137-138) to Chile’s Mariana Zuniga in a closely contested match. Despite the loss, Sheetal’s journey at the Paralympics is not over; she will compete in the mixed team event with her partner Rakesh Kumar, where they are considered strong contenders.
Sheetal’s achievements are even more impressive considering her unique shooting technique. Born without arms, she shoots arrows using her legs, jaw, and shoulder, a method that has astounded audiences worldwide. Earlier in the Paralympics, she broke a world record by scoring 703 out of 720 points in the qualifying round, highlighting her exceptional skill.
Sheetal, who hails from a small village in Jammu, has quickly risen to prominence in the para-archery world. Her past accolades include multiple medals at the Asian Para Games, including two golds. She is currently ranked number one globally in her category, making her one of India’s brightest hopes for future competitions.