{{Short description|Indian para-archer (born 2007)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox sportsperson | name = Sheetal Devi | image = Sheetal Devi in September 2024.jpg | caption = Devi in 2024 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2007|1|10|df=y}} | birth_place = Loidhar, Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, India | highestranking = 1 (2023) | pb = 703 (2024)<br> 1399 '''WR PR''' (2024) | sport = Para-archery | event = Compound | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Women's compound para-archery}}25px {{MedalCountry|{{IND}}}} {{MedalCount | total = yes | Paralympic Games | 0 | 0 | 1 | World Championships | 1 | 2 | 1 | Asian Para Games | 2 | 1 | 0 | Asian Championships | 1 | 1 | 0 }} {{MedalCompetition|Paralympic Games}}center|40px {{MedalBronze|2024 Paris|Mixed team}} {{MedalCompetition|World Championships}} {{MedalGold|2025 Gwangju|Individual}} {{MedalSilver|2023 Plzeň|Individual}} {{MedalSilver|2025 Gwangju|Doubles}} {{MedalBronze|2025 Gwangju|Mixed team}} {{MedalCompetition|Asian Para Games}} {{MedalGold|2022 Hangzhou|Individual}} {{MedalGold|2022 Hangzhou|Mixed team}} {{MedalSilver|2022 Hangzhou|Doubles}} {{MedalCompetition|Asian Championships}} {{MedalGold|2023 Bangkok|Mixed team}} {{MedalSilver|2023 Bangkok|Individual}} }}
'''Sheetal Devi''' (born 10 January 2007) is an Indian compound para-archer. She won a bronze medal in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, becoming the youngest Indian Paralympian medalist. She has won gold medals at all the major competitions including the World Championships, Asian Championships and the Asian Para Games. She is the recipient of Arjuna Award in 2023.<ref name=":1" />
== Early life == Sheetal Devi was born on 10 January 2007 in Loidhar, Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir.<ref name=":0" /> Devi was born with phocomelia, a rare medical condition resulting in the absence of arms. She is the first and only female para-archery champion without upper limbs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2023 |title=Asian Para Games: No arms? No problem for Asian para-archery champion Sheetal Devi |url=https://www.espn.in/espn/story/_/id/38754398/2022-asian-para-games-sheetal-devi-armless-archer-gold-medal |access-date=7 December 2023 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, she came to the attention of the Indian Army's Rashtriya Rifles unit, which facilitated her participation in Operation Sadbhavana initiatives, providing opportunities to develop her skills. The unit supported her education and arranged medical assistance, including treatment in Bengaluru. During this period, she received support from Meghna Girish, actor Anupam Kher, and Preeti Rai of the NGO ''The Being You''. Upon her return to Jammu and Kashmir, the Rashtriya Rifles unit assisted in her enrolment at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex. She later progressed in her sporting career from this training base.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2023 |title=World's first armless woman archer gets her wings at army camp in Jammu |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/armless-teen-archer-sheetal-devi-from-army-camp-to-world-championship-glory-101691132508387.html |access-date=27 October 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref>
== Career == [[File:Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi with PM Modi in 2024.jpg|thumb|left|Sheetal Devi with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024.]]
After the efforts by the Indian Army, Sheetal Devi caught the attention of coaches Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Baidwan, who were impressed by her confidence and decided to begin her training. Although they initially considered using prosthetics to assist her, doctors advised that it was not possible in her case. Devi's ability to climb trees using only her legs had significantly developed her core strength, which became important in her training.<ref name =anmol/><ref name="sports.ndtv.com">{{Cite web |title=How Sheetal Devi, India's First Female Armless Archer, Won Para Asiad Gold. Watch | Archery News |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/archery/asian-para-games-archer-sheetal-devi-secures-gold-in-womens-individual-compound-4517980 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=NDTVSports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=India Finishes Paralympics With Historic Tally: Meet The Inspiring Medallists | Page 1 |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/photogallery/lifes/india-finishes-paralympics-with-historic-tally-meet-the-inspiring-medallists/94096/1 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=Forbes India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.ndtv.com/video/arrow-of-hope-para-archer-sheetal-devi-s-journey-836661 |title=Video | Arrow Of Hope: Para Archer Sheetal Devi's Journey |language=en |access-date=13 September 2024 |via=www.ndtv.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=The Hindu Bureau |first=Sports |date=1 December 2023 |title=The armless archer Sheetal Devi, who has captured the imagination of the country with her courageous journey and inspired everyone with her two gold and a silver medal in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/para-archery/article67595101.ece |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
The coaches had never trained someone without arms for archery before. However, after researching and learning about Matt Stutzman, an archer who uses his legs, they began her training. Within 11 months of training, Devi competed in the women's compound bow event at the 2022 Asian Para Games,<ref name =anmol/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=27 October 2023 |title=Sheetal Devi: With three medals at Asian Para Games, 16-year-old armless archer from J&K is making waves |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/2-medals-at-asian-meet-16-year-old-from-jk-is-first-female-archer-without-arms-9001264/ |access-date=27 October 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2024 |title=Watch: Paris crowd erupts in awe as armless archer Sheetal Devi hits the bullseye |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/paralympics/story/paris-paralympics-sheetal-devi-video-bullseye-crowd-commentators-delight-reaction-2591920-2024-09-01 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> where she won two gold medals for India.<ref name =anmol>{{Cite web |date=29 October 2023 |title=Sheetal Devi the armless archer की अद्भुत कहानी - हाथ नहीं है फिर भी जीते 3 मेडल |url=https://www.anmoll.com/news/sheetal-devi-the-armless-archer-first-indian-woman-to-win-2-asian-para-games-gold/ |access-date=29 October 2023 |website=Anmoll |language=Hindi}}</ref> She secured gold in the mixed doubles and women's individual, in addition to a silver medal in the women's double compound event,<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=27 October 2023 |title=Armless archer Sheetal Devi first Indian woman to win 2 Asian Para Games gold as country's medal rush continues |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/armless-archer-sheetal-devi-first-indian-woman-to-win-2-asian-para-games-gold-as-countrys-medal-rush-continues/article67465316.ece |access-date=27 October 2023 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name="sports.ndtv.com"/> which moved her to the top of the para world archery rankings in the women's compound open category.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 November 2023 |title=Sheetal Devi becomes World No. 1 Para Archer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/sheetal-devi-becomes-world-no-1-para-archer/articleshow/105569190.cms |access-date=14 September 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
On 9 January 2024, Devi received the Arjuna Award 2023 from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 January 2024 |title=National Sports Awards 2023: Mohammed Shami, para-archer Sheetal Devi receive Arjuna awards - WATCH |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/national-sports-awards-2023-mohammed-shami-para-archer-sheetal-devi-receive-arjuna-awards-watch/articleshow/106658464.cms |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Online |first=E. T. |date=9 January 2024 |title=Arjuna Awards 2023: Para-archer Sheetal Devi receives prestigious award from President Murmu |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/arjuna-awards-2023-para-archer-sheetal-devi-receives-prestigious-award-from-president-murmu/videoshow/106674108.cms?from=mdr |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=The Economic Times |language=en}}</ref> She became the youngest athlete to compete in women's para archery at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 August 2024 |title=Paralympics 2024: Who is Sheetal Devi? 17-year-old scripts world record in archery |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/paralympics-2024-who-is-sheetal-devi-17-year-old-scripts-world-record-in-archery-101725012008888.html |access-date=30 August 2024 |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> She surpassed the previous world record of 698 points in the ranking round with an impressive score of 703, qualifying for the 1/16 elimination round in the women's individual compound open category.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=29 August 2024 |title=Sheetal sizzles, qualifies for the round of 16 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/sheetal-sizzles-qualifies-for-the-round-of-16/article68582774.ece |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 August 2024 |title=Paralympics: Sheetal Devi leads Indian archers' impressive show in ranking round |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/tennis/story/paralympics-sheetal-devi-india-archery-personal-best-ranking-round-2590417-2024-08-30 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Aldred |first=Tanya |date=31 August 2024 |title=Jodie Grinham shoots into history with Paralympic archery bronze while pregnant |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/31/jodie-grinham-shoots-into-history-with-paralympic-archery-bronze-success |access-date=1 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Despite being eliminated by just 1 point in the 1/8 elimination round,<ref>{{Cite web |last=IANS |date=1 September 2024 |title=Paris Paralympics: Sheetal Devi bows out, Sarita misses semis spot |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/sports/paris-paralympics-sheetal-devi-bows-out-sarita-misses-semis-spot-1503338190.html |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=The Statesman |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2024 |title=Paralympics: Archer Sheetal loses pre-quarters, out of individual medal contention |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/paralympics/story/paris-paralympics-2024-sheetal-devi-misses-out-quarterfinals-mariana-zuniga-2591527-2024-08-31 |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> she overcame the setback by winning a bronze medal in the mixed team compound open category alongside Rakesh Kumar at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=PTI |date=2 September 2024 |title=Indian duo of Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar wins bronze |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/olympics/indian-duo-of-sheetal-devi-and-rakesh-kumar-wins-bronze/article68598563.ece |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=3 September 2024 |title=Paris Paralympics: With mixed team archery bronze, Sheetal Devi adds another chapter to glorious legacy |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/paris-paralympics-sheetal-devi-archery-bronze-medal-9546845/ |access-date=13 September 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>On 28 September 2025, Devi won gold at the 2025 World Para Archery Championships, Gwangju defeating Oznur Cure, the defending champion and the World No.1 by a scoreline of 146-143 becoming the first armless woman to be crowned champion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-28 |title=Perfection personified: At 18, Sheetal Devi fulfils her dream of becoming world champion |url=https://www.espn.in/olympics/story/_/id/46406101/perfection-personified-18-sheetal-devi-fulfils-dream-becoming-world-champion |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=ESPN |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards== ===International=== *Best Youth Athlete of the Year 2023 by Asian Paralympic Committee<ref>{{cite news |title=Para Archer Sheetal Devi Wins Best Youth Athlete Of 2023 Honour At Asian Awards |website=The Chenab Times |date=27 November 2023 |url=https://thechenabtimes.com/2023/11/27/para-archer-sheetal-devi-wins-best-youth-athlete-of-2023-honour-at-asian-awards/ |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Sheetal Devi, India's 16-Year-Old Para Archery Champion, Wins Best Youth Athlete Of 2023 Honour At Asian Awards |website=Outlook (magazine) |date=26 November 2023 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/sheetal-devi-india-s-16-year-old-para-archery-champion-wins-best-youth-athlete-of-2023-honour-at-asian-awards-news-332990 |access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> *Best Women Para Archer of the Year 2023 by World Archery<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2024 |title=Meet Sheetal Devi, Indian archer who became a Para archery sensation against all odds |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/sports/meet-sheetal-devi-indian-archer-who-became-a-para-archery-sensation-against-all-odds/articleshow/112900075.cms?from=mdr |access-date=13 September 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
===National=== *Arjuna award (2023)<ref name=":1">{{cite news |title=The Golden Girl of India Sheetal Devi receives Arjuna Award from President of India |website=India Today |date=9 January 2024 |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/sheetal-devi-arjuna-award-president-of-india-2486393-2024-01-09 |access-date=9 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 January 2024 |title=Sheetal Devi Honoured With Arjuna Award: Well-Deserved Birthday Gift To World's No. 1 Para-Archer At 17 |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/good-news/meet-sheetal-devi-para-archer-from-jk-honoured-with-arjuna-award-article-106664916 |access-date=14 January 2024 |website=TimesNow |language=en}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *[https://www.indianarchery.info/history Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar] at Archery Association of India * {{World Archery|48250/sheetal-devi|}} * {{IPC}} * [https://olympics.com/en/news/who-is-sheetal-devi-india-women-para-archer Sheetal Devi: The armless odds-defying wonder para archer] at Olympics.com * [https://olympics.com/en/news/sheetal-devi-indian-para-archer-interview Sheetal Devi reveals her Olympic dreams and sacrifices] at Olympics.com * [https://olympics.com/en/news/paris-2024-paralympics-archery-india-sheetal-devi-ranking-round Paris 2024 Paralympics: India's armless archer Sheetal Devi falls one point short of world record] at Olympics.com * [https://www.paralympic.org/paris-2024/video/meet-india-sheetal-devi Meet India's Sheetal Devi] at Paralympic.org * [https://web.archive.org/web/20240908050210/https://shillongteerkhela.com/ Shillong teer] * {{Instagram}}
{{Subject bar |commons = yes |commons-search = Category:Sheetal Devi |d = yes |d-search = Q123210681 |portal1 = Biography |portal2 = India |portal3 = Sports }}
{{Paralympic medalists for India|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Devi, Sheetal}} Category:Living people Category:2007 births Category:Indian female archers Category:Sportswomen from Jammu and Kashmir Category:People without hands Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award Category:Archers at the 2024 Summer Paralympics Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Paralympics Category:Paralympic bronze medalists for India Category:Paralympic medalists in archery Category:Asian Para Games medalists in archery Category:Asian Para Games gold medalists for India Category:Asian Para Games silver medalists for India Category:Medalists at the 2022 Asian Para Games Category:Archers at the 2022 Asian Para Games Category:21st-century Indian sportswomen