Sports
Sheetal Devi Wins Two Golds and a Silver at 2026 Asian Para Games
Born on January 10, 2007, in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi grew up in the village of Loidhar without arms. She learned to write and eat with her feet, developing balance and control that later helped her in archery.
Devi’s sporting career began when she was noticed at an Indian Army camp in 2019. The Army provided educational and medical support, and she later joined the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra. Coach Kuldeep Vedwan introduced her to para‑archery, a discipline that normally requires both arms. Together with the training team, they developed a method that suited her abilities: she steadies the bow with her foot, pulls the string with her shoulder, and releases the arrow with a mouth‑held aid.
Training involved resistance‑band exercises, strength work and shooting at targets a few metres away, gradually progressing to the standard competition distance of 50 metres. The technique demands precise positioning, strong leg muscles, a stable body and careful control of every movement.
Devi’s progress appeared on the international stage. At the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou she won gold in the women’s individual compound and mixed team events and silver in women’s doubles. She also earned silver at the 2023 World Archery Para Championships.
At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, partnering with Rakesh Kumar, she won bronze in the mixed team compound event, becoming India’s youngest Paralympic medallist at 17. She did not medal individually but used the experience to further her development.
In October 2025, after winning the individual world title in Gwangju, South Korea, Devi said she had ignored doubts and focused on her game. She noted the encouragement she received from young girls who watched her.
At the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan, Devi defended her titles from Hangzhou. She won gold in the women’s individual compound and the compound mixed team event with Toman Kumar, and silver in women’s doubles with Payal Nag, completing a three‑medal haul.
Speaking to the Asian Paralympic Committee, she said the hard work had paid off and that she simply focused on shooting her best. She also urged parents to support children with disabilities and to recognise their potential.
Devi shares updates on Instagram (@sheetal_archery). Her story illustrates that sporting skill is built through technique, coaching, practice and a willingness to keep learning.