Dreams take time: Para-archer Sheetal looks forward to competing with able-bodied athletes

After scripting history by qualifying for her first able-bodied international meet, Paralympic medallist Sheetal Devi reflected on the achievement, saying that learning from every setback had helped her move closer to her goal of competing alongside able-bodied athletes.

The 18-year-old para-archer secured a spot in India’s junior team for the Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah next month after finishing third in the final women’s compound rankings at the four-day national selection trials in Sonipat.

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For Sheetal, born without arms due to a rare congenital condition called phocomelia, the milestone marks the realisation of a long-cherished dream.

“When I started competing, I had a small dream – to one day compete alongside the able-bodied and win medals I didn’t make it at first, but I kept going, learning from every setback.

“Now, that dream is one step closer. In the Asia Cup trials, I secured Rank 3 and will now represent India in the Asia Cup – in the able-bodied category. Dreams take time. Work. Believe. Repeat,” Sheetal said on social media.

The armless archer from Jammu and Kashmir, who won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, captured her first world title at the World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju, Korea, clinching gold in the compound women’s individual event.

She also won a silver in the compound women’s team event and a bronze in the compound mixed team event.

Her earlier breakthrough came at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, where she won the compound women’s gold, her first international title, along with a mixed team bronze with Rakesh Kumar. She later secured a silver at the Pilsen 2023 World Archery Para Championships, further establishing herself among the world’s best.