Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Armless Archer Sheetal Devi's Ingenuity and Strength Propel Her to Success
Imagine a girl named Sheetal who was born without arms.
Even though she doesn't have arms, she can do amazing things with her feet, like eating, writing, and even opening doors!
She's also become a super archer.
To shoot arrows, she uses her legs to hold the bow and her toes to pull the string and release the arrow.
It's like a very special and tricky dance.
Her coaches and doctors helped her find clever ways to practice and get stronger, like using clay to make her grip steady and lifting weights with her toes.
Because of all her hard work and unique skills, she's now good enough to compete with archers who have arms, which is a huge accomplishment for her and for India.
Sheetal Devi, born without arms, uses her toes for daily tasks and archery.
She is the first Indian para archer to qualify for the able-bodied national team.
Her archery technique involves a custom-made release aid similar to one used by US archer Matt Stutzman.
Devi employs unique strength training methods, including lifting dumbbells with her toes and using clay to improve grip.
Her natural core strength, innovative adaptations, and sports science support have been crucial to her success.
- Who
- Sheetal Devi, an 18-year-old archer born without arms.
- What
- Sheetal Devi has achieved remarkable success in archery, becoming the first Indian para archer to join the able-bodied national team, through a combination of natural strength, innovative techniques, and sports science. She uses her toes for tasks ranging from opening doors to shooting arrows.
- When
- The article details her progress over the last four years, with recent achievements including qualifying for the Asia Cup.
- Where
- India, with mention of Paris Paralympics and upcoming Asia Cup in Jeddah.
- Why
- Her success is attributed to her ingenuity, determination, natural core strength, training with specialized equipment, and the support of coaches and physiotherapists.
- Age
- 18
- Disability
- Born without arms
- Sport
- Archery
- Notable Achievement
- First Indian para archer to earn a spot on the able-bodied national team
- Recent Performance
- Third place in compound women's trials for Asia Cup
- Key Training Tools
- Clay for grip strength, dumbbells lifted with toes