Sheetal Devi to compete at Asia Cup stage 3 in Jeddah

Breaking yet another barrier, para-archery world champion Sheetal Devi has scripted history by earning a place in India’s able-bodied junior compound team for the Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah, marking a monumental first for Indian sports.

Born without arms, the 18-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir has consistently defied limits through grit and talent. Her selection represents the first-ever inclusion of a para-athlete in an Indian able-bodied international squad, a feat that underscores her extraordinary rise in the sport.

“When I started competing, I had a small dream to one day compete alongside the able-bodied. I didn’t make it at first, but I kept going, learning from every setback. Today, that dream is one step closer,” Sheetal wrote on social media after the team announcement.

A bronze medallist in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Sheetal drew inspiration from Turkey’s Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi, who competes in both para and able-bodied tournaments at the world level.

Competing against more than 60 able-bodied archers at the national selection trials in Sonipat, Sheetal showcased remarkable consistency over four demanding days. She scored 703 points in the qualification rounds 352 in the first and 351 in the second matching top qualifier Tejal Salve’s score.

In the final tally, Tejal Salve (15.75 points) and Vaidehi Jadhav (15 points) claimed the top two positions, while Sheetal narrowly secured the third spot with 11.75 points, edging past Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe of Maharashtra by just 0.25 points.

Training at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, Sheetal has already etched her name in global history as the first female armless world champion in para archery earlier this year. Her latest achievement bridges the gap between para and able-bodied sports, setting a powerful precedent for inclusivity and excellence.

Indian Teams for Asia Cup Stage 3

Recurve:

Men – Rampal Choudhary (AAI), Rohit Kumar (UP), Mayank Kumar (Haryana)

Women – Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri (AP), Vaishnavi Kulkarni (Maharashtra), Kratika Bichpuriya (MP)

Compound:

Men – Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, Devansh Singh (all Rajasthan)

Women – Tejal Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav (both Maharashtra), Sheetal Devi (J&K)