NEW DELHI: Eighteen-year-old Indian para-archer archer Sheetal Devi scripted history by defeating Turkiye’s world No.1 Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 to bag the women’s compound individual category gold at the Para World Archery Championship in Gwangju on September 27.
Sheetal, the only para-archer in the competition, shoots using her feet and chin.
This is her third medal at the Championships, having earlier won the mixed team bronze with Toman Kumar and beating Great Britain’s pair of Jodie Grinham and Nathan MacQueen 152-149.In the compound women’s open team event, Sheetal and Sarita secured the silver medal after losing to Turkey in the gold medal clash.
Coming to her individual final, it was a tense match, Sheetal’s consistency and composure turned out to be the different. The first end was tied 29-all, but Sheetal fired three tens in the second end, to take an early lead of 30-27.
The third end was also tied at 29-all and Sheetal experienced a lapse towards the end, scoring 28 points and Girdi shot 29, but Sheetal still had the overall lead by 116-114.With three perfect arrow hits to score 30, Sheetal secured her maiden gold medal.
In the semifinal, this star archer from J&K, who also won the Paralympics bronze medal last year in the mixed team category, produced a flawless display to secure a 145-140 win over Great Britain’s Jodie Grinham to reach the final.
The title clash marked Sheetal’s redemption as back in 2023 World Championships, it was Girdi who had edged out Sheetal for a gold by 140-138, but this time, Sheetal took home the top prize.
Who is Sheetal Devi?
Born in 2007 in Loidhar, Kishtwar (J&K), Sheetal Devi was born without arms due to phocomelia. Despite the condition, she adapted early, climbing trees and performing daily tasks with her legs. Her childhood resilience built the foundation for her sporting journey, even though opportunities in her remote village were limited.
Notably, In 2019, the Rashtriya Rifles identified her potential during a local event. The Army supported her education and medical needs. Coaches Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Wadhwan later trained her in archery, adapting techniques from armless US archer Matt Stutzman. She learned to shoot using her feet and chin, beginning her remarkable sporting journey in 2022. Her unique shooting style, using her legs and chin went viral worldwide during the Paris Paralympics.
At the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, she won two gold medals (individual and mixed team compound) and a silver in doubles. At only 16, Sheetal received Arjuna Award in January 2024. She was also named Best Youth Athlete 2023 by the Asian Paralympic Committee and Best Women Para Archer 2023 by World Archery.
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