After winning bronze in the mixed Archery discipline at the Paralympic Games, she became the youngest athlete from India to win a medal, at the age of 17.
PARIS, France.- On the fifth day of the Paralympic Gamesthe world witnessed one of the stories most inspiring of the event: The outstanding performance of Sheetal Devia young shooter 17 years of India that, without have arms due to a rare congenital condition called phocomelia, he dazzled everyone with his skill in archery.
Since 2021, the young woman has been practicing this discipline and, despite her physical limitationsmanaged to obtain a bronze medal in the mixed category. Although she was eliminated in the individual event, she established herself as one of the most outstanding figures of the day.
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A world record and a unique technique
In her Paralympic debut, Sheetal Devi achieved an impressive score of 703 over 720surpassing the world record previous of 698recently established by the British Phoebe Pine Paterson. However, this mark was surpassed shortly after by the Turkish Oznur Curewho managed 704 points. Devi’s technique is as unique as it is effective: she places the arrow in the bow with her right footlifts the bow with his leg, pulls the string with the shoulder and release the arrow using the strength of his jaw.
Roll a perfect 10
During the round of 16, Devi faced the Chilean Mariana Zuniga in a close duel that ended with a score of 138-137 in favor of Zúñiga. Although the young Indian was eliminated, her performance left a indelible mark by making an extraordinary shot at the center of the target that earned him a perfect 10. This moment earned him applause from the audience.
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Bronze medal in the mixed category
Devi’s achievement did not stop at her individual performance. In the competition of mixed archeryformed a team with his compatriot Rakesh Kumar and together they achieved the bronze medal by beating the Italian couple made up of Eleonora Sarti y Matteo Bonacina in mourning for him third place. This triumph made Devi the Paralympic medalist youngest in Indian historymarking an important fact for his country.
The story of Sheetal Devi It is one of improvement and perseverance. Since she was little, she enjoyed climbing trees, an activity that helped her strengthen her upper bodysomething crucial to your success in archery. During a youth event organized by the Indian Armythe coaches recognized his potential in the discipline. Inspired by Matt Stutzmanan armless American archer who uses his legs to shoot, Devi developed your own technique and quickly began to stand out internationally.
Devi’s career
In 2023, Devi won the gold medal in the Para-Asian Games in China and was recognized as the best youth athlete of the year for Asian Paralympic Committeeas well as the most outstanding female Paralympic archer of the season by World Archery. In an interview for Fit India Movementthe archer recalled her beginnings in the sport, when she did not know how to shoot with a bow without using her hands.
I always thought I shouldn’t practice archery. Everyone at school did it with their hands and I didn’t know at all what I had to do or how I had to do it with my feet. Until I found the solution,” he commented.
Today, Sheetal Devi has not only found her way but has inspired many with her courage y talent in sport.
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