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India’s para-archer Sheetal Devi, the 18-year-old world compound champion from Jammu and Kashmir, has achieved yet another historic feat by securing selection to the Indian able-bodied junior team for the Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah. Her inclusion marks the first time a para-athlete has been chosen to represent India in an able-bodied international archery competition, a milestone that redefines inclusivity in Indian sports. A new milestone for Indian sports Sheetal, born without arms, has consistently inspired millions through her grit, precision, and unwavering determination. On Thursday, she added another proud chapter to her extraordinary journey. Sharing her excitement on social media, she wrote, “When I started competing, I had a small dream — to one day compete alongside the able-bodied. I didn’t make it at first, but I kept going, learning from every setback. Today, that dream is one step closer.” Her selection followed an intense four-day national selection trial held in Sonipat, where she competed under the same conditions as over 60 able-bodied archers — and emerged among the best. Performing at par with the best During the qualification rounds, Sheetal displayed outstanding form, scoring 703 points in total — 352 in the first round and 351 in the second — matching top qualifier Tejal Salve’s total. In the final standings, Tejal led with 15.75 points, followed by Vaidehi Jadhav with 15 points, while Sheetal secured third place with 11.75 points, narrowly edging Maharashtra’s Dnyaneshwari Gadadhe by just 0.25 points. Her performance not only earned her a spot on the national team but also demonstrated that talent and determination can transcend physical limitations. Inspiration and global recognition Sheetal has already become a global symbol of perseverance. Earlier this year, she made history as the first female armless world champion in para archery and won a bronze medal in the mixed team compound event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. She has often spoken about being inspired by Turkey’s Paralympic champion Oznur Cure Girdi, who also competes in able-bodied events. “Seeing Oznur compete gave me belief that I too could aim higher,” Sheetal once said. Her latest milestone has been hailed by athletes, coaches, and fans alike as a breakthrough for inclusivity in Indian sports. Team India for Asia Cup The Asia Cup Stage 3 in Jeddah will feature both recurve and compound events. The Indian team is as follows: Men: Rampal Choudhary (AAI), Rohit Kumar (Uttar Pradesh), Mayank Kumar (Haryana) Women: Kondapavuluri Yuktha Sri (Andhra Pradesh), Vaishnavi Kulkarni (Maharashtra), Kratika Bichpuriya (Madhya Pradesh) Men: Pradhuman Yadav, Vasu Yadav, Devansh Singh (all Rajasthan) Women: Tejal Salve, Vaidehi Jadhav (both Maharashtra), Sheetal Devi (Jammu and Kashmir) Breaking barriers and inspiring generations Experts have hailed Sheetal’s selection as a watershed moment for Indian sports, highlighting how it paves the way for greater inclusivity and recognition for para-athletes. Her story continues to motivate countless young aspirants, proving that passion and perseverance can overcome any limitation. As Sheetal prepares to represent India on the global stage, her achievement stands as a reminder that disability does not define ability. With each arrow she releases, she continues to push boundaries — both literal and symbolic — for athletes across the world.
