Rising Star Sheetal Devi Shines in Women’s Compound
Teen sensation Sheetal Devi, famed for shooting without arms and using her feet, teamed up with Jyoti Baliyan to dominate the women’s compound final. They faced fierce competition but clinched gold, marking Sheetal’s latest triumph after earlier success at the Para-archery Asia Cup and Khelo India Para Games. Sheetal, who hails from Kishtwar in Jammu & Kashmir and was born with phocomelia, has fascinated the nation by overcoming her disability to become India’s top-ranked para-archer in 2023. She was scouted by the Indian Army in 2019 and has rapidly scaled global heights since then.
Paralympic Champions Harvinder Singh & Bhawna Dominate Mixed Recurve
In the mixed recurve final, Harvinder Singh, India’s Paralympic gold medalist, partnered with Bhawna to secure a stunning victory. Harvinder, a double Paralympic medalist with a bronze in Tokyo 2020 and a gold in Paris 2024, is an economics scholar from Haryana who overcame early disability to leave an indelible mark at the highest level. He added to his legacy with this mixed team success, further cementing his elite status in para-archery.
India’s Growing Medal Tally: A Snapshot
With these two golds, India’s para-archery squad now boasts a total of seven medals, comprising four gold and three silver. This includes the recent wins by Sheetal and Jyoti in the women’s compound team event, and by Harvinder and Bhawna in the mixed recurve. Other medals have come from standout performances in the Asia Cup, earlier rounds of the ongoing championship, and other international events like the Khelo India Para Games. India’s emergence as a para-archery powerhouse is no longer serendipitous, it is strategic, inspiring, and sustainable.
Strategic Backing & Institutional Support
Indian para-archery’s rise is underpinned by strong institutional investments. The Indian Army’s early mentorship of Sheetal Devi played a crucial role in helping her transition remarkably quickly to elite competition. Organizations such as Olympic Gold Quest and various sports NGOs have provided support to athletes like Harvinder Singh, ensuring they receive the resources and opportunities to balance academics, training, and international participation. Frequent podium finishes in the Asia Cup and World Ranking events underscore the depth and professionalism of India’s para-archery program.
Sheetal Devi: A National Inspiration
Born on January 10, 2007, Sheetal stands as India’s first international-level armless female archer. Her meteoric rise includes two gold medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games, a silver at the 2023 World Championships, and continued dominance at the Para Archery Asia Cup and other international events. Her unique technique of firing arrows with precision using her feet has earned her widespread recognition and admiration. With just 11 months of preparation, she managed to win two gold medals and one silver, astonishing fans and experts alike. Her achievements were further recognized when she received the prestigious Arjuna Award in January 2024.
Harvinder Singh: Scholarly Excellence Meets Sporting Glory
Harvinder Singh, born on February 25, 1991, in Kaithal, Haryana, comes from humble roots. After a childhood medical accident left him with an impairment, he discovered a passion for archery post-2012 and went on to earn a doctorate in economics. His accolades include a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games, a bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, which was India’s first Olympic archery medal, and a gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, making him the first Indian to win a Paralympic gold in archery. In January 2025, he was honoured with the Padma Shri. His recent mixed team gold alongside Bhawna adds another crowning achievement to his storied journey.
A Quick Take on the Medal Spread
India’s medal tally includes gold in the women’s compound team event by Sheetal Devi and Jyoti Baliyan, and gold in the mixed recurve event by Harvinder Singh and Bhawna. The current total of seven medals reflects the team’s performance across multiple prestigious events including the Asia Cup, Asian Para Games, Khelo India Para Games, World Championships, and the Paralympics. These medals are spread across individual and team categories and highlight India’s strategic growth in both compound and recurve archery formats.
What This Momentum Means for India
The diversity in medal winners shows that India’s para-archery program is producing results across genders and events. From the grassroots to the podium, a strong institutional pipeline, driven by the Army, non-profits, and sports authorities, is empowering para-athletes. Indian archers are consistently outperforming rivals from countries like Indonesia, Poland, and Iran, showing the country’s growing competitiveness on the global stage. The inspirational journeys of athletes like Sheetal and Harvinder are also drawing attention to the potential of para-sports in India and motivating young aspirants, especially those living with disabilities.
Looking Ahead: Targets & Ambitions
India’s para-archery team is now eyeing continued dominance in the Asia Cup, more podium finishes at the World Championships, and a stronger showing at the 2026 Paralympics. Further investments in training infrastructure, specialized coaching, and early talent identification are essential to maintain this momentum. With seven medals already in hand, the Indian team stands at the threshold of a golden era for para-archery, ready to script even more historic victories in the years ahead.
India’s para-archery story today is one of resilience, national pride, and comprehensive support systems. From Sheetal Devi’s awe-inspiring feats with her feet to Harvinder Singh’s academic brilliance and sporting determination, these athletes are not just winning medals, they are redefining the landscape of Indian para-sports.
Leave a Reply