Bhubaneswar:
Breakthrough Selection Marks A Historic First In Indian Sports
In a landmark moment for Indian sport, 18-year-old para-archer Sheetal Devi has been selected for India’s able-bodied junior archery team that will compete at the Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah. Her inclusion makes her the first para-athlete in India’s history to earn a place in an able-bodied national archery squad, breaking one of the highest barriers in competitive sport.
Armless Champion Earns Her Spot Through Trials
Born without arms in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, Sheetal competed in the national selection trials alongside able-bodied archers and finished third—strong enough to secure a place in the 16-member squad. Her performance reaffirmed her status as one of India’s most exceptional sporting talents, having already become a world para archery champion.
Her coaches and federation officials praised her consistency, mental strength and high-pressure composure, qualities that allowed her to excel even in fields traditionally dominated by able-bodied athletes.
From Para World Champion To History-Maker
Sheetal’s rise has been meteoric: she shot to global fame by winning gold at the World Para Archery Championships, and her unique foot-archery technique drew international attention. With this new selection, she has now crossed into an unprecedented sporting category—competing directly with able-bodied athletes at an international event.
The Archery Association of India hailed her selection as a “watershed moment” and a testament to the sport’s evolving inclusivity.
A New Chapter Ahead
Sheetal will represent India at the Asia Cup in Jeddah, where she aims to prove that the boundaries between para and able-bodied sport can be surpassed with talent, determination and hard work. Her achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes—both para and able-bodied—across the country.
India will field 16 archers at the event, but Sheetal’s presence is set to be one of the biggest talking points, not just for the nation but for the global archery community.
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