By Madhav Kandhari: Kashmir captured the world’s attention in Gwangju, South Korea, by clinching gold in the women’s compound individual event at the Para World Archery Championships. What makes her triumph historic is not only the medal but also the way she won it shooting with her feet and chin. In a nail-biting final, Sheetal outscored world No. 1 Oznur Cure Girdi of Turkiye 146-143. The victory carried an extra sense of redemption: in 2023, the same rival had denied her gold at the Pilsen World Championships.
From Kishtwar to the World Stage
Born in Loidhar village of Kishtwar, Sheetal grew up with Phocomelia, a rare condition that left her without arms. Yet, she refused to let this define her. World Archery has described her as the first female archer without arms to compete at the international level.
Her journey to archery began almost by chance. In 2021, during a youth event in Kishtwar, she caught the eye of the Indian Army. Doctors initially suggested prosthetics, but when that didn’t work, her natural strength developed from years of climbing trees pointed towards sports. After assessments, mentors encouraged her to try athletics, swimming, or archery. She chose the bow and arrow.
Innovation and Hard Work
Training started at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Katra. Coaches Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vedwan, inspired by Paralympian Matt Stutzman of the US, developed customized equipment for her a chin-based trigger and modified releasers. Her work ethic astonished everyone. In the beginning, she shot about 100 arrows daily; soon, she was releasing nearly 300 in a session. Within just half a year, she bagged silver at the Para Open Nationals in Sonepat, and even against able-bodied athletes, she proved competitive, finishing fourth at the Open Nationals.
Beyond Medals
For Sheetal, the medals are a source of pride, but also a way to claim dignity. Speaking in 2023,
she admitted how difficult it was initially even to lift the bow, and how people’s stares used to
bother her. “My parents always had faith in me. These medals show that I am no less. They are
not just mine they belong to the entire country,” she said.
A Symbol of Courage
Sheetal’s rise is more than a sporting success. It is a story of resilience and imagination of a girl
who turned what others saw as a limitation into her greatest strength. By conquering the world
stage without arms, she has not only made history but also offered hope to countless young
Indians who dare to dream.
Her gold in Gwangju is proof that barriers physical or social are meant to be broken.
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