Rebecca Manzi Sheetal Devi was born without arms, but gives her colleagues a hard time at the Paralympics by shooting with her feet and breaking world records
@sheetal_archery/Instagram
Sheetal Devi, a 17-year-old Indian archer, has captured the world’s attention with her outstanding performances at the Paris Paralympic Games, where she set a new world record in archery. What makes her achievements even more remarkable is that she was born without arms and uses a unique technique, shooting with her feet, to compete at the highest level, showcasing an extraordinary level of determination.
Extraordinary courage, commitment & a never-give-up spirit are not linked to medals…#SheetalDevi, you are a beacon of inspiration for the country—and the entire world.
Almost a year ago, as a salute to your indomitable spirit, I had requested you to accept any car from our… pic.twitter.com/LDpaEOolxA
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 2, 2024
During the individual competition, Devi scored 703 out of 720 points, surpassing the 700-point mark for the first time in history and breaking the previous world record of 698 points. Although her record was shortly surpassed by Turkey’s Öznur Cüre, who scored 704 points, Devi’s performance went viral on social media, leaving millions in awe.
Sheetal wins bronze in mixed team tournament
Despite her impressive score, Sheetal was eliminated in the Round of 16 by Chilean Mariana Zuniga, losing by just one point in a tight match that ended 138 to 137. However, her Paralympic journey did not end there.
Sheetal went on to win a bronze medal in the mixed team tournament alongside her compatriot Rakesh Kumar. Together, they set another world record during the qualifications, scoring 1,399 points and narrowly defeating Italy’s Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina by one point with a score of 156-155.
Jai Mata Di!! WE DID IT ❤️🇮🇳…
Sharing some moments post-medal ceremony with my incredible mixed doubles partner #RakeshKumar and our coaches @VedwanKuldeep sir and @abhilasha21192 ma’am.
Thank you, India! 🇮🇳 for the love and support ❤️🇮🇳🧿 pic.twitter.com/5MhvHjXAnS
— SheetalArcher (@ArcherSheetal) September 2, 2024
Sheetal Devi’s story is a powerful testament to the ability of sport to promote inclusion and break down barriers. A prominent figure in the Paralympic sports scene, Sheetal first made her mark in 2022 at the Asian Paralympic Games, where she won two medals.
In 2023, she further cemented her reputation with a series of victories, including gold and silver medals at the World Archery Championships and the Asian Paralympic Games. Her rise is a powerful example of how passion and dedication can lead to extraordinary results, regardless of physical challenges, proving that limits exist only in the mind.
