Vinesh Phogat, a former wrestler from India, commended archer Sheetal Devi’s selection in the able-bodied category. Sheetal made history by earning a spot in the Indian able-bodied junior team for the upcoming Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah. She became the first para-athlete from India to achieve this milestone. After competing against over 60 able-bodied archers in Sonipat’s national selection trials, the 18-year-old secured an impressive third-place finish following four days of intense competition.
During the qualification round, Sheetal scored a total of 703 points (352 + 351), matching the score of top qualifier Tejal Salve. In the final standings, Tejal led with 15.75 points, Vaidehi Jadhav followed with 15 points, and Sheetal clinched the third position with 11.75 points, narrowly surpassing Maharashtra’s Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe (11.5). Vinesh Phogat praised Sheetal for her remarkable determination and achievement, hailing her as an inspiration for the younger generation.
Anand Mahindra also lauded Sheetal’s resilience, describing her as “more able-bodied” than anyone else. He highlighted her strong spirit and heart, expressing pride in her accomplishments. Furthermore, former shooter Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore recognized Sheetal’s historic achievement as a significant moment for Indian sports.
Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, 18-year-old Sheetal Devi trains at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra, where she has garnered global attention for her unique style. She previously won a bronze medal in the mixed team compound event at the Paris Paralympics in 2024. Sheetal’s exceptional growth and success have positioned her as a symbol of determination and belief.
Sheetal drew early inspiration from Oznur Cure Girdi of Turkey, the reigning Paralympic champion who has excelled in both para-archery and able-bodied competitions. Her journey mirrors that of Oznur, who achieved a significant milestone by winning her first-ever medal in an able-bodied competition at the Istanbul Conquest Cup in May 2025.
In addition, the teams for the upcoming competitions are as follows:
– Recurve: Men’s: Rampal Choudhary (AAI), Rohit Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Mayank Kumar (Haryana); Women: Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri (Andhra Pradesh), Vaishnavi Kulkarni (Maharashtra), Kratika Bichpuriya (Madhya Pradesh).
– Compound: Men: Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, Devansh Singh (all Rajasthan); Women: Tejal Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav (both Maharashtra), Sheetal Devi (Jammu and Kashmir).
Sheetal’s remarkable journey and achievements continue to inspire many, showcasing her unwavering determination and courage in the face of challenges.