- Sheetal Devi is the only woman taking part in the event without arms
- The Indian athlete secured bronze in mixed competition after stunning display
- Her mesmerising technique sees her use both legs to raise and steady the bow
Paralympian archer Sheetal Devi has become the breakout star at this summer’s Games after defying the odds by using just her feet to land a perfect bullseye and seal bronze in Paris.
The only participant in the event without arms, the Indian athlete’s technique in a sport requiring the highest levels of precision and concentration is both mesmerising and inspiring.
First she lifts the arrow into place using her right foot before raising up the bow, which has been balancing on her left knee, with the same foot.
By now the instrument is in line with her face and Devi, shutting her left eye in an expression of pure focus, works to line up the projectile perfectly with the target – which sits imposingly a whopping 70 metres away.
A moment’s pause, an intake of breath and then, a split second later, a sharp release sees the arrow sink inevitably into the board.
Paralympian archer Sheetal Devi has become the breakout star at this summer’s Games after defying the odds by using just her feet to land a perfect bullseye and seal bronze in Paris
First she lifts the arrow into place using her right foot before raising the bow, which has been balancing on her left knee, up with the same foot
She has now topped her previous impressive feats with a historic bronze in Paris with teammate Rakesh Kumar (left) in the mixed event
The only person in the arena left unamazed by this exhausting and seemingly precarious display is Devi – who has experienced a dramatic rise within her sport over the course of the last 18 months which has culminated in Paralympic glory.
The Indian athlete secured silver at the World Archery Para Championships last year and also nabbed two golds and a silver at the 2023 Asian Para Games.
But she has now topped all those impressive feats with a historic bronze in Paris with teammate Rakesh Kumar in the mixed event.
What makes it all the more impressive is the fact she is only 17 and appearing at her first Games.
Understandably, her podium placement has received praise from high places including from Indian President Droupadi Murmu who have Devi the ‘heartiest congratulations’.
‘Their joint success is an inspiring example of commitment and coordinated efforts. Both of them are inspiring sportspersons from whom our youth can learn a lot,’ she posted on social media.
Major Indian businessman Anand Mahindra added: ‘Extraordinary courage, commitment & a never-give-up spirit are not linked to medals…
‘Sheetal Devi, you are a beacon of inspiration for the country—and the entire world.’
Meanwhile, Welsh footballer Hal Robson-Kanu posted: ‘Sheetal Devi hit a perfect bullseye for Team India at the Paralympic Games
‘She is the first female archer without any upper limbs with an international title.
‘Greatness isn’t about the absence of obstacles, but the ability to rise above them.’
The archer was born with phocomelia, which is a rare congenital disorder resulting in underdeveloped limbs which cause arms not to form fully.
The Indian athlete climbed trees a child to improve her upper body strength, Olympics.com reports, and this is certainly on display during the effective manoeuvre she uses to fire her arrows.
A moment’s pause, an intake of breath and then, a split second later, a sharp release sees the arrow sink inevitably into the board
What makes it all the more impressive is the fact she is only 17 and appearing at her first Games
The archer was born with phocomelia, which is a rare congenital disorder resulting in underdeveloped limbs
Speaking before the Games, she said: ‘Whenever I see the medals I have won, I feel inspired to win more. I have only just started.’
Two men without arms are competing in this summer’s Paralympic archery but Devi is the only woman with such a condition and, before her bronze in the mixed tournament, she impressed in the individual event by nailing a perfect bullseye.
The clip of the remarkable feat went viral and received more than 60 million views but it took just a couple of days for the achievement to be trumped after her magnificent medal on Monday.
