Sheetal Devi breaks new ground, qualifies for India's able-bodied archery team for Asia Cup

By Admin

07 Nov, 2025

Para-archer Sheetal Devi, the world compound champion born without arms, has once again redefined the limits of possibility. On Thursday, she was officially selected to represent India in the able-bodied junior team for the upcoming Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah, marking a historic milestone in Indian sports history. Her selection makes her the first para-athlete to join an able-bodied Indian team for an international competition.

A Historic First for Indian Archery
Competing against more than 60 able-bodied archers from across the country under identical conditions, the 18-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir showcased extraordinary skill, determination, and composure. At the national selection trials held in Sonipat, she finished third overall, securing her well-deserved spot on the team. Sheetal scored 703 points in the qualification rounds   352 in the first and 351 in the second   matching top qualifier Tejal Salve’s total.

In the final rankings, Tejal Salve (15.75 points) and Vaidehi Jadhav (15 points) took the top two spots, while Sheetal secured third place with 11.75 points, narrowly edging out Maharashtra’s Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe by just 0.25 points.

A Journey of Perseverance and Inspiration
Trained at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, Sheetal’s journey is a shining example of perseverance and self-belief. Earlier this year, she made history by becoming the first female armless world champion in para archery, a feat that brought global recognition and pride to India.

After her selection, Sheetal shared her emotions on social media, writing,
"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."

Her success story also draws inspiration from Turkey’s Paris Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi, who competes in able-bodied world events.

From Paralympic Podium to Able-Bodied Arena
Sheetal was a bronze medalist in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, where her performance was celebrated worldwide. Transitioning from para to able-bodied competitions is not just a technical challenge but also a mental and physical one   a transition that Sheetal has handled with grace and strength.

Team India for Asia Cup Stage 3 – Jeddah
The Indian contingent for the upcoming Asia Cup features some of the nation’s top archers:

• Recurve (Men): Rampal Choudhary (AAI), Rohit Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Mayank Kumar (Haryana)
  
  

• Recurve (Women): Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri (Andhra Pradesh), Vaishnavi Kulkarni (Maharashtra), Kratika Bichpuriya (Madhya Pradesh)
  
  

• Compound (Men): Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, Devansh Singh (all Rajasthan)
  
  

• Compound (Women): Tejal Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav (both Maharashtra), Sheetal Devi (Jammu and Kashmir)
  
  

A Symbol of Hope and Determination
Sheetal Devi’s latest accomplishment stands as a testament to the limitless potential of human spirit and dedication. Her journey from Katra to the world stage reflects the true essence of sports   breaking boundaries, overcoming limitations, and inspiring millions.

As India prepares for the Asia Cup, Sheetal’s story will continue to inspire young athletes   not just in para sports but across every discipline   to dream beyond boundaries and aim for excellence.