Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir: Almost ten months after relocating from Katra to Patiala to train under coach Gaurav Sharma, 18-year-old archer Sheetal Devi has made history by clinching the women’s individual open gold at the World Para Archery Championships in Gwangju, South Korea.
Devi, who had won a bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics in the compound mixed team category, defeated Turkey’s Oznur Cure Girdi 146-143 in a thrilling final, becoming only the second armless archer in the world to achieve this feat, after USA’s Matt Stutzman in 2022.
Dedication Amid Distance
Since late 2021, Devi has trained far from her family in Loidhar village, Kishtwar. After shifting her base to Patiala last year, she visited home only once between 2021 and 2024.
Despite the distance, her parents, Mann Singh and Shakti Devi, and her brother, Ajay Kumar, supported her decision, understanding that her ambitions required sacrifices.
“Sheetal has got the newly built house, and the SUV she has got is one of the big cars in the village. Yet, what she treasures the most is the medals she wins for India,” her father Singh told media persons. He added, “Since she started archery, she has rarely visited home.
When she decided to shift to Patiala from Katra, we knew she was doing it for her own good. We have just completed the new house and are getting the new cabinets made to display her medals.”
Celebrating a Historic Achievement
As soon as the victory was confirmed on Saturday afternoon, Singh and Kumar anticipated the call from Sheetal, instructing them where to place her latest accolade.
“Aaj toh Sheetal ne duniya jeet li, toh woh wala medal sabse upar display hoga,” Singh said proudly, translating to: “Today, Sheetal has won the world, so this medal will be displayed at the very top.”
Sheetal Devi’s triumph has not only brought pride to her family but has also placed Loidhar village on the global map of para-sports, inspiring countless young athletes to dream big, regardless of physical challenges.
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