NEW DELHI, November 7, 2025: Para-archer Sheetal Devi, the world compound champion born without arms, has achieved another historic milestone — earning a spot in India’s able-bodied junior archery team for the Asia Cup Stage 3 to be held in Jeddah.
Her selection marks a first-ever inclusion of a para-athlete in India’s able-bodied international archery lineup, redefining the boundaries of determination and excellence.
“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 shared on social media after the announcement.
The 18-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir, who trains at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, secured her berth after an impressive performance at the national selection trials held in Sonipat. Competing among more than 60 top archers under identical conditions, she finished third overall.
Sheetal scored 703 points in the qualification rounds — 352 in the first and 351 in the second — equalling top qualifier Tejal Salve’s total. In the final rankings, Tejal (15.75 pts) and Vaidehi Jadhav (15 pts) took the top two spots, while Sheetal secured third with 11.75 points, narrowly edging out Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe by 0.25 points.
Winner of the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the mixed team compound event, Sheetal drew inspiration from Turkish Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi, who also competes in able-bodied events globally.
With her latest feat, Sheetal cements her place as a symbol of courage, perseverance, and possibility in Indian sports.
India’s Teams for Asia Cup Stage 3:
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Recurve (Men): Rampal Choudhary, Rohit Kumar, Mayank Kumar
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Recurve (Women): Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri, Vaishnavi Kulkarni, Kratika Bichpuriya
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Compound (Men): Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, Devansh Singh
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Compound (Women): Tejal Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav, Sheetal Devi
