Sheetal Devi: The Archer Who Defies Limits
There’s no shortage of stories about Sheetal Devi’s ingenuity, but aalaap Jawadekar likes to begin with one from the Paris Paralympics. One afternoon inside the Athletes’ Village, the physiotherapist found himself locked out of the sports science office – keys in hand, door refusing to budge.
That’s when Sheetal devi walked in. Without hesitation,she took the keys,missed once,then again,and with disarming calm,turned the lock open – using her toes. Jawadekar still marvels at the moment. “The more you think she can’t do something,” he says, “the more she’ll prove you wrong.”
Born without arms, there’s little Sheetal can’t do. She eats and writes with her toes, once climbed trees with ease, and now shoots arrows with them.
Defying physics, the 18-year-old is stepping into uncharted territory for an Indian athlete. Last week, she finished third among 60 archers in the compound women’s trials for next month’s Asia Cup in Jeddah. In doing so, Sheetal became the first Indian para archer to earn a spot on the able-bodied national team, a feat forged through natural core strength, frugal innovation and cutting-edge sports science.
The release aid
Until four years ago, when archery coach Kuldeep Vedwan first took her under his wings, there wasn’t even a mechanism in India that would enable her to shoot, let alone hit the bullseye. “She asked me, ‘Even if I lift the bow with my legs, how will I let the arrow fly?'” Vedwan saeid.
The moment he saw her, he had a plan. the veteran coach had seen how the OG armless archer, USA’s Matt Stutzman, released the arrows with the help of a release aid.
Able-bodied compound archers wear a strap that goes around thier wrists and has a trigger, similar to a rifle. The moment the trigger is pulled with their fingers, the arrow is released.
Stutzman improvised this technique. He first wrapped a strap around his chest.The strap had a release aid positioned over his right shoulder. Sheetal’s version is different. Vedwan and a local welder crafted a custom release aid that loops around her neck and shoulder, allowing her to pull the trigger with her chin.
“It took a lot of trial and error,” Vedwan says. “We tried different angles, different tensions. Sheetal has amazing feedback. She’ll tell you immediately if something feels off.”
The initial prototypes were made of metal, but they were too heavy. They switched to carbon fibre, making it lighter and more responsive. The current version costs around ₹300.”We didn’t want to spend a fortune,” Vedwan says. “We wanted something that was effective and affordable.”
Sheetal’s technique is unique.She anchors the bow with both feet, pulls back the string with her shoulder, and then uses her chin to trigger the release. Her core strength is phenomenal, allowing her to maintain stability throughout the shot.
“She has a natural talent,” says Jawadekar,who is also the Director of Sports Science at the Paralympic Committee of India. “But it’s not just talent. It’s her dedication, her willingness to experiment, and her incredible mental fortitude.”
Sheetal’s journey is far from over. She has her sights set on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. And if her past is anything to go by, she’ll find a way to make it happen, defying expectations and inspiring millions along the way.
Sheetal Devi: The Archer Who Defies Limitations with Unwavering Will and Unique Training
Sheetal devi, a rising star in archery, is captivating the sporting world with her remarkable talent and unconventional training regime. Born without arms, Sheetal has not only overcome immense physical challenges but has also honed her skills through innovative methods, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport.
Sheetal’s technique is a masterclass in precision and control. Her coach, Abhinav Tomer, breaks down the intricate process: “First, the back; then the bow; the hip movement as she draws the arrow; the slight movement of the shoulder to get the release aid closer to the chin; and then applying slight pressure to release the aid’s trigger.” The key, according to Tomer, lies in isolating movements. “If everything moves as a log, then you can’t really differentiate between those tiny movements,” he explains. “So, there is a lot of isolation required between yoru trunk, hips and feet. That’s where the accuracy element also comes in.”
Anukool Bharadwaj,head of the paralympic program at OGQ (olympic Gold Quest),emphasizes Sheetal’s natural strength,which has been substantially enhanced through dedicated strength training. “She’s far stronger now than she was four years ago,” he notes.
Refining Control with Clay
A particularly intriguing aspect of Sheetal’s training involves the use of clay – a technique borrowed from shooting to improve trigger control. Tomer introduced the exercise to help her steady the bow. Sheetal quickly took to it, constantly molding the clay into different shapes. “Even now, I make sure she carries it whenever she travels… it is indeed simply holding the clay and putting consistent pressure on it, even if we are moving the leg. Because if there is a slight change in the pressure, it could have an impact on the actual shot,” Tomer explains with a laugh.
Unconventional Strength training
The training team has consistently improvised to build Sheetal’s strength, resulting in exercises that defy expectations. Jawadekar, a trainer, recounts being astonished by her ability to perform a particularly challenging exercise: lifting a 5kg dumbbell with her feet while seated on a bench, mirroring the posture she adopts while shooting.
“Imagine her sitting on a stool and holding a bow; in that exact position, she holds a 5kg dumbbell with her feet; she actually grips it between the toe and the second digit,” Jawadekar describes. “First of all, it is tough to straighten the knee and then, your body shakes… but she does it with ease. It’s insane how she manages to hold it for like a good 2-3 minutes. It’s unfeasible!”
Sheetal Devi’s story is a testament to the power of determination and innovative training. She continues to inspire with her unwavering spirit and ability to overcome obstacles, proving that limitations are often self-imposed. Jawadekar sums it up perfectly: he knows better than to underestimate the girl who can unlock any door – with her feet or her sheer will.