NEW DELHI: Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar, the Indian mixed team compound archery duo, staged a remarkable comeback to secure the bronze medal at the Paralympics on Monday. Despite the heartbreak in the semifinals, they managed to defeat Italy's Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina with a score of 156-155.
This marks only the second time that India has won a medal in archery at the Paralympics, following Harvinder Singh's individual bronze at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
Sheetal's achievement is particularly noteworthy, as she became the first Indian woman to win an archery medal at the quadrennial event. Coach Kuldeep Vedhwan celebrated the victory from the stands.
The final end of the match proved to be the deciding factor, as Sheetal's shot was upgraded from a 9 to a 10 after a revision. Interestingly, a similar situation had occurred in the semifinal against Iran earlier in the evening, but the outcome had not favoured the Indians on that occasion.
In the final end, the Indian duo shot scores of 10, 9, 10, and 10, reaching a total of 155. The Italian pair responded with scores of 9, 9, 10, and 10, tying the match at 155-155. It was at this point that the judge closely examined Sheetal's shot and determined it to be a 10, securing India's victory.
Also see: Paris Paralympics medal tallySheetal Devi, a 17-year-old Paralympian archer, captivated spectators at the Paris Paralympics 2024 with her remarkable skills and indomitable spirit. Despite being armless, the young athlete made an impressive debut at the Games, leaving the audience in amazement.
The defining moment occurred during the intense pre-quarterfinal match between Sheetal Devi and her opponent, Mariana Zuniga.
In a display of exceptional talent, Sheetal Devi stunned the crowd by achieving a perfect score of 10. A video capturing this incredible feat quickly spread across social media platforms, with viewers marvelling at her unique technique of shooting using her legs, jaw, and shoulders.
Erik Solheim shared the video on his official 'X' handle and said "This is beyond possible! Sheetal Devi is poetry in motion. Just 17 years old. Born without arms. A true hero. Congrats India."
Anand Mahindra was inspired by Sheetal Devi and wrote, "Extraordinary courage, commitment & a never-give-up spirit are not linked to medals… #SheetalDevi, you are a beacon of inspiration for the country—and the entire world. Almost a year ago, as a salute to your indomitable spirit, I had requested you to accept any car from our range and we would customise it to enable your navigation. You rightly said you would take up the offer when you turned 18, which you will next year. I look forward to fulfilling that promise to you… And, of course, no one else could be my #MondayMotivation"
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi also congratulated the team and said, "Teamwork triumphs! Congratulations to Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar on winning the Bronze in Mixed Team Compound Open Archery. They have demonstrated remarkable dexterity and determination. India is delighted by this feat."
ICC umpire Richard Kettleborough also commented,"Sheetal Devi at the age of 17 is winning the hearts ❤️ of everyone ���� That's Pure :- Discipline, Dedication and Hardwork "
Piers Morgan also tweeted, "These Paralympians are truly incredible. Wow."
Sheetal was born in 2007 facing a unique challenge. She was born with phocomelia, an uncommon birth defect that affects the development of the limbs. As a result of this condition, Sheetal's arms did not fully form, leaving her with underdeveloped upper extremities.
Despite the obstacles posed by her physical limitations, Sheetal has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination throughout her life. She has adapted to her circumstances, finding innovative ways to navigate the world and pursue her goals.
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