Who are they? 18-year-old compound athlete from India
World ranking: 6
Best result: Asian Games champion in 2022
What’s the story? The extraordinary journey of Sheetal Devi, born with a rare congenital disorder that left her without arms, is perhaps the greatest and most inspirational legacy of the original ‘armless archer’ Matt Stutzman. After winning her first major in 2022 at the Asian Games, her profile rocketed again, and a silver in Pilsen followed by mixed team bronze in Paris saw her on the biggest podiums.
“Archery is everything to me. Archery is my identity,” Devi said to the BBC after winning yet another award.
“No one knew me, and I didn’t know anybody. But after I became an archer, I came to know everyone and now they know me as well.” Without question the highest profile athlete in Gwangju, much is expected.
What’s the goal? Compound women’s gold will be a tough challenge, with Girdi and Grinham looking to build on their Paralympic form. But Devi is expected to medal – it’s more a question of what colour.
