Eighteen-year-old Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi has made history by becoming the first para-athlete from India to be selected for an able-bodied team, following the recent national trials held in Sonipat, Haryana.
Sheetal, born without arms, is the reigning World Compound Champion and continues to redefine what is possible in archery. Each arrow she releases is a testament to her skill, determination, and resilience, inspiring a generation of athletes both with and without disabilities.
“Two years ago, I finished sixth in a selection trial, but I didn’t let that break me. I did fail then, but I told myself, ‘I will improve even more and I will never give up,’” says Sheetal. At the recent four-day national trials, she competed against over 60 able-bodied archers from across India and finished in third place. This remarkable achievement has earned her a place in the Indian junior squad for the upcoming Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah. On hearing the news on Thursday, the Jammu and Kashmir-born athlete expressed her joy, stating, “I’ve dreamt of representing my country in able-bodied tournaments ever since I first started competing in archery!”
Sheetal is already India’s youngest Paralympic medallist, having won bronze in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Yet her journey has not been without challenges. She has faced constant doubts, criticisms, and questions regarding her abilities. “My resolve, however, only grows stronger,” she explains. “People doubt me every day, but that only motivates me to stay quiet and get better. Every day, people tell me ‘You can’t,’ and every day, I love proving them wrong by saying, ‘Yes, I can.’ Not with words, but with my results. They may try to break my self-belief, but I respond with my performance.”
For Sheetal, success is about more than proving naysayers wrong. She believes a sportsperson must “stay grounded and keep learning, to grow with every challenge.” Reflecting on her future, she adds, “I have dreams, but I want to take life as it comes… I don’t think too far ahead. For me, it’s one step at a time that keeps me moving. I have faith in myself and in God, which I believe will help me achieve even greater things.”
Sheetal Devi’s journey is a powerful reminder that determination, resilience, and focus can shatter barriers and redefine what is possible.