Published 20:33 IST, September 13th 2024
Exclusive/ 'Created a device': Paralympics Champ Sheetal Devi Narrates How She Mastered Archery Using Her Legs
In an exclusive podcast with R Sport Fit, Sheetal Devi laid out how and from where she started her journey, what struggles she faced and who motivated her.
With an eagled-eyed vision and an awe-inspiring fortitude, Paris Paralympics 2024 Bronze Medalist Sheetal Devi has won over the entire country. The exceptional victories of the 17-year-old are echoing all over the internet and subsequently, Sheetal Devi has become a rousing sensation.
Sheetal Devi Narrates How She Her Journey Began
Sports fanatics all over the world have been startled to witness the exemplary showcase of India's wonder girl Sheetal Devi at the Paris Paralympics and are intrigued about how a woman who was born without arms managed to break the world record in Archery.
In an exclusive podcast with R Sport Fit, Sheetal Devi laid out how and from where she started her journey, what struggles she faced and what and who motivated her when things were daunting.
She revealed that her trip to glory started in her village Kishtar, in Jammu and Kashmir. She reflected on the days when she got introduced to the sport of Archery and how the instilled in her that she could use her legs to perfect the sport.
"Everyone knows Sheetal Devi on YouTube now, but no one knew me when I was in my village. Very few people believed I could do something for my nation. Initially, I found archery very difficult. In the village, we used to make wooden bows, not knowing it was considered a sport. When I first learned about archery, I didn't believe I could do it because it seemed like everyone used their hands. But then Kuldeep Sir helped me realize that I could use my legs to participate and encouraged me by saying I would definitely win a medal one day. That encouragement stayed with me and instilled a strong belief in myself. At first, I found it hard to pick up the bow and told Sir it was really heavy. So, Sir gave me a smaller bow initially and created a device to help me ease into it. It was challenging at first, but once you learn, it gets easier."
Updated 20:33 IST, September 13th 2024