In a training academy in India, 17-year-old Sheetal Devi calmly takes aim at a distant target, her gaze unwavering. With a practiced precision, she raises her bow using her right leg, pulls back the string with her shoulder, and releases the arrow with the strength of her jaw. Despite the challenges inherent in her technique, her composed demeanor never falters.

Sheetal Devi was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder, making her the world’s first and only active female archer competing without arms. Hailing from Jammu district, this young athlete has already made history by winning gold at the Asian Para Games. Now, she is preparing for the Paralympics in Paris, which begin on August 28, 2024.

"I am inspired to win the gold," Devi shared. "Whenever I see the medals I’ve won so far, I feel motivated to achieve even more. I’m just getting started."

This year’s Paralympics will see around 4,400 athletes from across the globe competing in 22 sports. Archery, a fixture of the Games since 1960, has been dominated by countries like Great Britain, the USA, and South Korea. India, however, has only managed to secure a single bronze medal across 17 editions. Devi is determined to change that narrative.

Ranked first in the world in the compound open women's category, Devi secured her place in Paris by winning silver at the Para-Archery World Championship in 2023. The competition in Paris will be fierce, with world number three Jane Karla Gogel and reigning World Champion Oznur Cure among her challengers.

Devi’s journey to archery is as extraordinary as her achievements. Born into a farming family in a small village, she had never even seen a bow and arrow until she was 15. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2022 when she visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board sports complex in Katra, 200 kilometers from her home. There, she met coaches Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vedwan, who introduced her to archery and helped her begin her training in Katra.

"Sheetal [Devi] did not choose archery; archery chose Sheetal," says Chaudhary, reflecting on the serendipity that led them to her.

Fascinated by Devi’s determination and strength, her coaches developed a unique training regimen. They focused on leveraging the strength in her legs and upper body, teaching her to shoot arrows with a technique adapted to her abilities. What began as practice with targets at just five meters soon evolved into hitting competition-standard targets 50 meters away. Within two years, Devi progressed from learning the basics to clinching gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games, where she shot six consecutive bullseyes in the women’s individual compound event.

The path to success hasn’t been easy. Devi has made significant sacrifices, including not returning home since she moved to Katra two years ago. Her dedication is unwavering as she prepares for the Paralympics, planning to return only after the Games, "hopefully with a medal."

"I believe that no one has any limitations; it’s about wanting something enough and working as hard as you can," Devi said. "If I can do it, anyone else can."

As she gets ready to compete in Paris, Sheetal Devi remains focused on her goal, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination that has already made her a pioneer in her sport. With her eyes on the Paralympic podium, she is poised to inspire the world with her remarkable journey.