Sheetal Devi, a 17-year-old archer from Jammu, India, is aiming for gold at the upcoming Paralympics in Paris. Despite being born without arms due to a rare condition called phocomelia, Devi has become a top competitor in her field. She uses her legs and jaw to handle the bow and arrow, demonstrating remarkable focus and skill.
Devi, who was born into a farming family and only discovered archery at age 15, is now ranked first in the world in her category. She made headlines at the Asian Para Games by winning a gold medal. Devi’s journey into archery began when she met her coaches, Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vedwan, at a sports complex in Jammu.
Her coaches, inspired by her determination, helped her develop a custom bow and shooting technique that uses her strong legs and upper body. Devi’s innovative gear includes a bow adapted with local materials and a device she holds in her mouth to release the arrow.
Even with these modifications, Devi faced challenges and doubts, but her perseverance paid off. She quickly progressed from practicing with a rubber band to shooting at competition distances. Her hard work led to her winning gold at the Asian Para Games by hitting six bullseyes in a row.
Devi has not returned home since she began training two years ago, as she focuses on the Paralympics. She believes that anyone can overcome limitations with enough determination and effort. As she prepares for the Paralympics, Devi remains motivated and hopeful for a successful outcome.
BBC’s coverage highlights Devi’s incredible achievement and her inspiring story of overcoming adversity.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gpgppg57o