The ace archers from Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar, have secured a bronze medal in the compound open archery mixed team event.
39-year-old Rakesh Kumar from Katra, Reasi, teamed up with 17-year-old Sheetal Devi from the village of Loidhar, Kishtwar. The duo defeated Italy’s Matteo Bonacina and Eleonora Sarti 156-155 to clinch bronze, just minutes after India suffered a narrow loss to Iran in the semi-finals.
India’s bronze win came after Sheetal’s shot was upgraded following a revision. With just four arrows left, the Indians were trailing by a point, with Sarti in impressive form even as her partner Bonacina struggled. However, the Indian pair held on to emerge as winners in the end.
The duo has become the first Olympic medalists from Jammu and Kashmir. Interestingly, this is only the second time that India has won a medal in Paralympic archery; Harvinder Singh bagged a bronze at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
Coach Kuldeep Vedwan praised their perseverance, particularly highlighting the role of 17-year-old Sheetal, who became the first Indian woman to win an archery medal at the Paralympics. This win also makes her one of the youngest medalists in India’s Paralympic history.
SHEETAL DEVI:
Born in 2007 with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that results in underdeveloped limbs, Sheetal Devi has overcome immense physical challenges to become a top-tier archer. Her arms did not fully form, but her indomitable spirit and dedication to the sport have made her a Paralympic medalist at just 17 years old.
Sheetal’s journey began in 2019 at a youth event in Kishtwar, where her exceptional athletic abilities caught the attention of coaches from the Indian Army. Known for her ability to climb trees using only her legs, Sheetal’s unique physical strength and determination were undeniable. Recognizing her potential, the coaches initially tried to fit her with prosthetics but later found inspiration in Matt Stutzman, a para-archer who shoots with his legs.
Following an intense training regimen, Sheetal quickly mastered archery with her feet. In just 11 months, she was competing worldwide. She made headlines at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, winning gold medals in mixed doubles and women’s individual compound competitions. Her achievements not only gained her honours but also challenged society’s views of the potential of para-athletes.
Sheetal’s popularity rose during the 2024 Paralympics in Paris when she competed in the women’s individual compound event. With a personal best of 703 points, she was one point away from breaking the world record. Although she narrowly missed the world record, her consistency and determination earned her a spot among the world’s finest archers.
In January 2024, Sheetal’s remarkable achievements were recognised when she was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sports honours. This recognition celebrated not just her success but also the broader significance of her journey—from a remote village to a global icon in para-archery. Behind Sheetal’s triumph is a dedicated team that believed in her potential. Her coaches, Abhilasha Chaudhary and Kuldeep Vedwan, played a crucial role in her development with innovative training methods inspired by Matt Stutzman.
RAKESH KUMAR:
Rakesh Kumar was born on 13 January 1985 in Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. His father works as a carpenter, while his mother is a housewife. In 2010, Rakesh was involved in an accident that left both of his legs paralysed. Ever since, Rakesh has been confined to a wheelchair, and in the aftermath of the accident, he even considered suicide.
Years have passed since that accident, and Rakesh is now one of the most noted athletes in India. Coach Kuldeep Vedwan discovered Rakesh’s raw talent and nurtured it. In 2017, when an archery centre was established at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex, the coach invited him for a visit to raise awareness about the sport. Rakesh instantly developed an interest in archery and joined the very next day.
Rakesh has practised archery regularly ever since he took up the sport. Due to his financial difficulties, the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board provided him with a monthly allowance under its sports scheme. Rakesh went on to win several medals at the national level before making his mark on the international stage. Those medals eventually ignited hopes in his coach that Rakesh would become one of the brightest prospects in Indian archery.
PM, LG PRAISE THE DUO:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hailed the team spirit demonstrated by athletes Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar in winning a bronze medal in the Mixed Team Compound Open Archery at the ongoing Paris Paralympics.
Modi posted on X: “Teamwork triumphs! Congratulations to Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar on winning the Bronze in Mixed Team Compound Open Archery. They have demonstrated remarkable dexterity and determination. India is delighted by this feat. #Cheer4Bharat”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also congratulated Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar on winning bronze in the Mixed Team Compound Open Archery event at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
In a post on X, LG Sinha wrote, “Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar have brought glory to the nation and immense pride to J&K by winning bronze in the Mixed Team Compound Open Archery event at #ParisParalympics2024. You inspire millions across the nation. Many congratulations on this remarkable achievement.” —(KNO)