New Delhi, March 31: Kishtwar-born para-archer Sheetal Devi has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Para Archer of the Year 2025’ award, a recognition she attributes to years of dedication, overcoming challenges, and personal sacrifice.
World Archery Honour Highlights Remarkable Journey
The World Archery accolade adds a significant achievement to the 19-year-old’s already distinguished career, which includes a historic world championship title. Devi expressed that the nomination itself was a momentous occasion, but winning the award made it truly unforgettable. She views the award as a reflection of every hour dedicated to training, every setback encountered, and every quiet sacrifice made.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, Sheetal Devi communicated her feelings from Bangkok, where she is currently participating in a tournament. She stated, “It feels incredibly special. Just being nominated among the best in the world was a big moment for me but winning this title makes it truly unforgettable and special. It reflects every hour of hard work, every setback, and every quiet sacrifice. This one means a lot.”
Historic World Championship Win
Sheetal Devi, who hails from the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, recently etched her name in history at the 2025 World Para Archery Championships held in South Korea. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, she defeated the defending champion and then world number one, Oznur Cure of Turkey. This victory made her the first armless woman globally to secure a world championship title in archery.
Expressing her gratitude, Devi said, “With humility, I bow down to Mata Rani for her blessings that she continues to shower on me. I owe this to my family, my coach, my team, and everyone who believed in me and stood by me, even on days when things weren’t going well.”
Message of Resilience to Aspiring Athletes
For aspiring athletes, Sheetal Devi’s message is one of empowerment and perseverance. “Don’t let anyone define your limits. Your journey is your own – stay patient, trust the process, and keep showing up every single day. Remember kisi mein koi kami nahi hoti, bas thodi mehnat ki kami hoti hain,” she advised.
Reflecting on the most challenging period of her career, Devi identified the process of relearning her technique last year as a significant hurdle. She admitted that the results were inconsistent, leading to doubts from others. “The biggest challenge was relearning my technique last year. It wasn’t easy; there were days when results didn’t come and people started doubting me,” she shared.
She further explained her approach to overcoming this difficulty: “I stepped away from events, interviews and appearances, which brought even more questions and doubts. I shut myself off, shifted my entire focus to training, and built myself back. In hindsight, those moments shaped me the most, they taught me resilience.”
Innovative Technique and Rule Adaptations
Born without arms due to a rare congenital disorder, Sheetal Devi employs a highly specialized technique. She utilizes custom equipment known as a releaser, attached to her shoulder, to nock and draw the arrow. Her process involves using her toes to pick up and load the arrow, then connecting her body to the bow to aim and shoot.
A rule alteration by World Archery last year presented an additional challenge. Previously, she was permitted to shoot with her heel touching the bow; however, the new regulations restrict this to only the toe and the front part of the foot. This adjustment necessitated a complete overhaul of her shooting style.
Her coach, Gaurav Sharma, elaborated on the adaptation process. “That meant we had to start all over again and rebuild her technique from scratch,” he stated. “It required time and patience. We focused on strengthening her core, refining her form, and adapting her shooting style to the new rules – all while ensuring she was mentally strong enough to handle the pressure. It wasn’t easy, but we worked as a team and overcame each hurdle one by one,” Sharma added.
Rigorous Training for Future Competitions
With her sights set on winning medals at major international events later this year, Sheetal Devi maintains a rigorous training schedule, dedicating six days a week to practice. Her training day typically commences at 8:00 AM and concludes at 6:00 PM, with a two-hour break in between. Sundays are reserved for rest.
The Chenab Times News Desk