Picture Credit: Twitter
By becoming the first female archer without arms to ever make it to the Para-Archery World Championships final in Plzen, Czech Republic, Indian archer Sheetal Devi wrote history. In Friday's semifinal, the 16-year-old compound archer narrowly overcame Sarita, another Indian, 137-133. But she was defeated 138-140 in the championship match by Cure Oznur of Turkey.
Sheetal, who was fourth in the event's seeding and grips her bow with her foot in a manner reminiscent of legendary armless archer Matt Stutzman, shot eight fewer points in the qualifying round than Sarita. The only female armless archer competing in the championships is Sheetal, who is currently placed 18th in para compound archery.
“I’m very excited. It’s a big competition,” stated Devi, whose aim is to represent India at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “I know it’s a qualification tournament. And I feel great here,” she further added.
Devi competed for the first time at the World Archery Para Championships, but it wasn't her first international competition. She has fond memories of the Czech Republic because in May, in Nove Mesto, she won silver at the European Para Archery Cup. Since then, she has competed against under-18 athletes in good physical condition and won domestic gold.
Sheetal is being hailed as the first para female archer in the world who shoots with her feet. Sheetal was born without hands (phocomelia), a condition where both of her hands were undeveloped.
Here is all you need to know about Sheetal Devi:
Age: 16 years
Hails from: Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir
World Ranking: No.18 (Compound Women Open)
Achievements:
Bronze medal at Women's Khelo India Games.
Two silver medals and a bronze medal at a Para Tournament in the Czech Republic.
Secured first position at the Para Asian Games trials.
Silver medal at Khelo India Nationals
