Indian para archer Sheetal Devi has achieved a historic milestone after being selected for the country’s able-bodied compound team to compete at the Asia Cup in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this December.
The breakthrough followed selection trials held from 3 to 6 November at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Sonipat, where Devi placed third among more than 60 compound women with a qualification score of 703.
She will line up alongside Tejal Rajendra Salve and Vaidehi Hirachandra Jadhav, who finished first and second respectively, for India in Jeddah.
Devi’s selection marks the first time an Indian para archer has earned a place on an able-bodied national squad.
“When I started competing, I had a small dream – to one day compete alongside the able-bodied,” she shared in a post on social media. “I didn’t make it at first, but I kept going, learning from every setback.”
“Today, that dream is one step closer.”
Born without arms, the 18-year-old has already become one of the most recognisable figures in para archery. Her distinctive technique – using her legs and shoulders to draw and release the bow – has brought her both medals and admiration across the sport.
Devi’s rise has been rapid. Earlier this year, she became the first woman without arms to win a para world title, taking gold in the compound women’s event at the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Para Championships. In Korea, she defeated Paralympic Champion Oznur Cure Girdi in the final, and added silver in the team event and bronze in mixed team.
She was already a Paralympic medallist, having won bronze in the compound mixed team with Rakesh Kumar at Paris 2024 – a result that made her India’s youngest Paralympic medallist at 17 and only the second archer without arms ever to reach the Paralympic podium.
In her debut season in 2023, she claimed two Asian Para Games titles, a world championship silver, and ended the season ranked world number one in compound women’s para archery.
Her appearance at the Asia Cup will offer a new challenge – and another chance to inspire.
