Sheetal Devi named Para Archer of the Year by World Archery after historic breakthrough season

As India’s Sheetal Devi continues her remarkable rise in para archery, she expressed heartfelt gratitude after being named the ‘Para Archer of the Year’ by World Archery.

The global governing body recognised her breakthrough season, honouring her outstanding performances and impact on the sport over the past year.

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Devi’s award caps a historic campaign in which she claimed her first world title at the World Archery Para Championships in Gwangju. She became the first woman without arms to win a para archery world championship, defeating Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi in the compound women’s individual final.

She also secured a silver medal in the women’s team event and a bronze in the mixed team competition, further strengthening her standout season.

“Nominated alongside the best para archers in the world… and now named the best para archer by worldarchery – this one feels deeply personal. A heart filled with gratitude, with emotion, with everything this journey has held. Thank you,” Devi wrote on X.

Nominated alongside the best para archers in the world… and now named the best para archer by @worldarchery – this one feels deeply personal.

A heart filled with gratitude, with emotion, with everything this journey has held. Thank you pic.twitter.com/broXb2fg48

— Sheetal Devi Archery (@sheetal_archery) March 30, 2026

She added another milestone to her journey making history in December by being selected for India’s able-bodied compound archery team for the Asia Cup in Jeddah, further highlighting her exceptional skill and versatility.

Born with phocomelia, Devi competes using a unique technique without arms, a method that has drawn global attention for its precision, adaptability, and innovation.

Her medal tally spans major international events, including the Asian Championships, Asian Para Games, World Championships, and Paralympic Games, underlining her growing stature on the global stage.

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In 2025, she became the first Indian archer to win the BBC Emerging Athlete of the Year award, following her mixed team bronze with Rakesh Kumar at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Devi has also been honoured as the World Archery Para Woman of the Year, and the Asian Paralympic Committee’s Best Youth Athlete in 2023. She was also conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2024.