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Fighting unmitigated circumstances is not everyone's cup of tea, but some people rise above the rest to achieve their dreams. This fits perfectly for Sheetal Devi, who, at 16, has won India a silver medal in the Para World Championships, making the country proud.
The teenager not only became the first female archer in the world to do archery without hands, but she is also the first armless Indian Para-archer to win silver at the Para World Championship. Fighting disappointment, travelling Jammu and Kashmir, working through all her troubles and reaching the Para World Championships is a major achievement. Below, is her journey.
Mastered in six months
Sheetal was born in Loi Dhar village in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. She did not have hands from birth but despite this, the youngster did not give up on her dreams and was determined to make something out of her life. Sheetal's luck changed when about a year and a half ago she was discovered by an army officer, who turned Kuldeep Kumar to her.
Kuldeep is a coach at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Archery Academy and it was here that archery came into Sheetal's life. She never looked back.
For Sheetal, Kuldeep made a special bow which could be used by her feet. She continued her hard work as soon as she got the bow and within six months, she mastered the art.
The moment Sheetal started shooting with her feet, she became the first armless female archer in the world. Drawing inspiration from her, six other female archers without arms have taken up the sport as their own.
Learned archery from Paralympic medallist's video
Kuldeep showed Sheetal videos of archer and Paralympic medallist Matt Stutzman, who uses his chest and legs. The American himself came later in the day to meet Sheetal, improving the quality of her bow as well.
Lost in the final
The 16-year-old suffered a 138-140 defeat in the Para World Championship final against Turkey's Kure Oznur in the compound women's open event. This meant that she could win only the silver medal. But this achievement is no small feat in its own right. Her name is trending on social media because of her achievements.
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