Sheetal Devi, Kishtwar’s para archer who took on the world with her feet

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Sheetal Devi was just 15 when she first picked up a bow and arrow. Today, the archer from Loidhar village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district is the world No. 1 in women’s open compound para archery, with major international titles and medals to her credit.

Born on January 10, 2007, Sheetal has a congenital condition called phocomelia, which left her without arms. As a child, she played with friends and climbed trees using her legs and upper body, developing the strength and balance that would later help her excel in archery.

Her father, Maan Singh, is a farmer, while her mother, Shakti Devi, manages the household and looks after the family’s livestock. Her younger sister, Shivani, has also been a close companion.

Sheetal’s sporting journey began after Indian Army personnel noticed her athletic ability at a youth sports camp at Mughal Maidan in Kishtwar under Operation Sadbhavana.

An attempt to fit her with artificial arms in Bengaluru proved unsuccessful. Coaches and sports physiotherapists then explored other sporting options. Inspired by American archer Matt Stutzman, who shoots using his feet, Sheetal took up archery.

In 2022, she began training at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra. Coaches Kuldeep Vedwan and Abhilasha Chaudhary helped her refine her technique and prepare for competitions.

Her breakthrough came at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where she won two gold medals and a silver.

At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she partnered Rakesh Kumar to win bronze in the mixed team compound open event.

In 2025, Sheetal claimed individual gold at the World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. She defeated defending champion Öznur Cüre Girdi 146-143 to become India’s first female individual para archery world champion.

She added to her medal tally at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning two gold medals and a silver. She also equalled the women’s individual qualification world record with 704 points out of 720 and set a mixed team world record of 1,402 points with Toman Kumar.

From her early days in Loidhar to competing against the world’s leading archers, Sheetal has built her career through rigorous training and consistent performances. Her titles, medals and records have established her among the leading names in Indian para archery.