The world is watching Sheetal: India’s armless archer nearly sets new world record to finish second in ranking round
para-archery event was sold out. And one of the reasons for it becoming such a huge draw for the spectators was India’s Sheetal Devi.
“She is just 17 and is ranked No. 1 in her category. How she releases the arrows with her jaw is just incredible. She is a global story of inspiration,” said one of the members of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
A couple of days ago, the BBC did a detailed feature on Sheetal. The local press was curious to know more about her in the mixed zone.
This isn’t the first time Sheetal has evoked global media interest. Last year at the Para Asiad in Hangzhou, China, the local newspaper for the Games, the Asiad Daily, profiled her on the front page on the day of her final.
Meet Sheetal Devi, Indian archer who became a Para archery sensation against all odds
Sheetal, however, is unfazed by all the attention and focussed on her goal. In the ranking round on Thursday, she shot her personal best 703 out of 720 and broke the world record. Although it was immediately bettered by Turkey’s Öznur Cüre (704).
“Every win inspires me to do better. I did not know this would be my life a couple of years back. Now things are different. I am here to make my country proud and win a medal. I will give it my all to do so,” she said after finishing second and securing a direct qualification to the round of 16.
Halfway into the competition, a Washington Post reporter inquired about Sheetal. “I am doing a story on Devi and Matt (Stutzman of the US), the two armless archers,”
