India witnessed a landmark moment in sports when Sheetal Devi, the 18-year-old world compound para-archery champion from Jammu and Kashmir, earned selection to the Indian able-bodied junior team for the upcoming Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah. This historic selection marks the first time in Indian history that a para-athlete has been chosen to represent the country in an able-bodied international competition. Born without arms, Sheetal’s journey has always been about defying the odds. Her inclusion in the able-bodied squad is not just a personal triumph; it’s a defining moment in India’s sporting evolution, symbolizing inclusion, resilience, and the unbreakable human spirit.

A Dream Beyond Limits

After the announcement, Sheetal took to social media to express her joy and gratitude “When I started competing, I had a small dream—to one day compete alongside the able-bodied. I didn’t make it at first, but I kept going, learning from every setback. Today, that dream is one step closer,” she wrote in a heartfelt post, thanking her coach Gaurav Sharma for his constant guidance. Her words reflect more than determination; they capture the essence of every athlete who dares to dream beyond barriers. For Sheetal, this achievement is not just about breaking into a new category; it’s about breaking perceptions.

Making History on the Field

Sheetal’s inclusion came after her impressive performance during the four-day national selection trials held in Sonipat, Haryana. Competing alongside over 60 able-bodied archers under identical conditions, Sheetal held her own with remarkable composure and precision. She scored 703 points in qualification (352 in the first round and 351 in the second), equalling the score of top qualifier Tejal Salve. In the final standings, Salve finished first with 15.75 points, followed by Vaidehi Jadhav (15), while Sheetal secured third place with 11.75 points, narrowly edging out Maharashtra’s Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe by just 0.25 points. Her outstanding performance didn’t just earn her a spot in the team—it announced her arrival as a competitor capable of matching the best, regardless of physical condition.

From Paralympic Podium to Able-Bodied Arena

This achievement also comes shortly after her remarkable performance at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where she clinched a bronze medal in the mixed team compound event alongside Rakesh Kumar. Sheetal has consistently shown that her abilities go far beyond expectations. Earlier, she made headlines by becoming the first female armless world champion at the World Para-Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, in 2024. She recently won the gold medal at the 2025 World Archery Para Championships in September. Her gold medal win at that event was already a story of courage and history; this new milestone elevates her to a level rarely seen in sports where inspiration meets excellence.

Born Different, Built Strong

Sheetal was born with phocomelia, a rare condition that results in underdeveloped limbs. Growing up in the hilly region of Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, she faced immense challenges in her daily life. But instead of letting those challenges define her, Sheetal turned them into her source of strength. Her technique is a marvel of human adaptability. She shoots using her legs, a method she learned from Matt Stutzman, the celebrated American Paralympic silver medallist known as the “Armless Archer.” With hours of training and fierce dedication, Sheetal mastered the technique of balancing the bow with her feet, drawing the string with her shoulder, and releasing arrows with pinpoint precision.

Inspiration from Around the World

Sheetal often speaks about drawing inspiration from Turkey’s Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi, who also competes in able-bodied archery events. Much like Oznur, Sheetal is now setting an example for athletes across India, showing that disability does not limit potential, only perspective. Her journey has inspired thousands of young athletes, especially girls from rural areas, to believe that anything is possible when passion meets hard work. In 2023, she received the Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sporting honours, recognizing her as a national icon. But for Sheetal, awards and headlines have always been secondary to her larger goal: to inspire others and prove that strength lies in spirit, not in limbs.

Beyond Arrows and Targets

From a small town in Jammu and Kashmir to the grand stages of world archery, Sheetal Devi’s journey is more than a story of sports; it’s a lesson in resilience, courage, and faith. Every arrow she shoots carries a message: that no dream is too big, no challenge too great, and no body too limited when the mind decides to soar. As Sheetal steps onto the field in Jeddah with her teammates, she won’t just be competing for medals; she’ll be shooting for hope, for belief, and for every person who has ever been told they “can’t.”