Armless archer Sheetal Devi wins double gold at Asian Para Games
Sheetal Devi, born without arms, has developed a unique technique for archery using her feet, shoulder, and mouth. She was introduced to sports by the Indian Army and trained under Coach Kuldeep Vedwan. At the 2026 Asian Para Games, she won two gold medals and one silver, defending her previous titles successfully. Her achievements inspire children with disabilities to pursue sports and…
Sheetal Devi, an archer from Jammu and Kashmir, has made history by winning two gold medals and a silver at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Born without arms, she has developed a unique technique to compete in archery. She steadies the bow with her foot, draws the string with her shoulder, and releases the arrow using her mouth.
This method, which has taken years of practice to perfect, requires balance, strength, and control. She began her sporting journey after being noticed at an Indian Army camp in 2019, where she received educational and medical support. Her coach, Kuldeep Vedwan, helped her adapt to traditional archery methods. She first won medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games and the 2023 World Archery Para Championships.
Her breakthrough came at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where she won bronze with her partner Rakesh Kumar in the mixed team compound event, becoming India's youngest Paralympic medallist. She attributes her success to hard work and focused training. Beyond archery, she inspires many through her Instagram account @sheetal_archery, showing that with determination, anyone can achieve their goals despite physical challenges.
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