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India para-archer Sheetal Devi, the first and the only international para-archery champion without upper limbs, is confident of bagging medals at the forthcoming Paris Paralympics. The much-anticipated event is scheduled to start on August 28 and conclude on September 8.
Notably, Sheetal qualified for the Paris Paralympics 2024 after her exceptional show at the World Archery Para Championships 2023 in the Czech Republic in July. She claimed a silver medal at the competition.
"I have been playing archery for two years. I am from a small village. I have never been to the city. Archery gave me the chance to visit a lot of countries. I like archery and winning medals. I love the feeling of hitting the center of the target. I have already qualified for the Paralympics I will work hard for it. I will participate there and win medals for my country. My main goal is to perform well and bring medals to my country,” said Sheetal Devi via Paralympic Games.
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It’s worth noting that Sheetal was born with Phocomelia, a rare congenital deformity in which the limbs are very underdeveloped or absent.
"I made my parents proud. I made my coach proud. I made my country proud. Now I will forget about everything and focus on my practice that is what I need to reach the podium. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Just need to work hard,” she added.
Sheetal Devi’s medals and achievements
Her dominance continued in the 2023 season with gold medal wins at the Asian Para Games 2023 in the individual compound and mixed team events. She also won a silver medal in the women’s doubles competition.
Sheetal concluded the season claiming the No. 1 rank in the para compound archers rankings. She secured another gold medal at the Khelo India Para Games 2023 in the compound open category in New Delhi.
Earlier in 2024, Sheetal Devi went on to clinch a silver medal at the Khelo India NTPC National Ranking Archery Meet. Additionally, she bagged a gold medal in the women’s compound team event at the Para Archery Ranking Series in Czechia.
