Paris Paralympics: Meet Sheetal Devi And Rakesh Kumar, India Archery Stars Who Won Mixed

Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar combined to win India’s second ever Paralympics archery medal on Monday. The pair defeated Italy’s Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonacina 156-155 to win para archery mixed team compound open bronze medal at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Sheetal recently went viral globally with her excellent performance at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024.

• Date of Birth: January 10, 2007
• Residence: Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir
• Event: Archery compound women open and mixed team
• Training Base: Shri mata vaishno devi shrine board Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
• Impairment: ST (amputation of the forearm above the wrist i.e no wrist joint present/amputation of the lower 1/3 of the leg i.e no ankle joint present)

She has captured the world’s attention with her extraordinary talent and unwavering determination. Born without arms, her early life was marked by challenges. However, her fortunes changed in 2019 when she was discovered by the Indian Army at a military camp. Recognizing her potential, they provided educational support and medical care.

Major Achievements

• Paris Paralympics Games (2024) – Bronze medal in mixed team compound event
• Asian Para Games 2022 (2023) – Gold medals in Individual and Mixed Team & Silver medal in Women’s Team
• World Archery Para Championship (2023) – Silver medal in Individual
• Asian Para Championship (2023) – Gold medal in Mixed Team & Silver Medal in Individual
• Best Youth Athlete of the Year Award by Asian Paralympic Committee in 2023

Under the mentorship of Kuldeep Vedwan, a specialized Paralympics archery coach, Sheetal embarked on a rigorous training regimen.

Her dedication culminated in a historic achievement at the 2023 World Archery Para Championship, when she won a silver medal, making her the world’s first armless woman archer to compete at such a level.

On the other hand, Rakesh hails from Katra, Jammu and Kashmir. His father is a carpenter and mother is a housewife.

He met with an accident in the year 2010 and both his legs got paralyzed, since then he has been on a wheelchair.

After the life-altering accident, Rakesh even contemplated suicide but he instead overcame the severe challenge to become one of top Indian athletes.

Rakesh, a raw talent, was scouted and nurtured by coach Kuldeep Kumar.

• Date of Birth: January 13, 1985 Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
• Event: Archery compound men open and mixed team
• Training Base: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Katra, Jammu and Kashmir
• Impairment: W2 (minimal or no limitations in upper extremity strength, range of motion or coordination)

In 2017, when an archery center was established at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex, Kuldeep invited him for a visit to raise awareness about the sport.

Rakesh instantly developed an interest in archery and joined the very next day.

Major Achievements

• Paris Paralympics Games (2024) – Bronze medal in mixed team compound event
• Asian Para Games 2022 (2023) – Gold medal in mixed team & silver medals in individual and men team events
• World Archery Para Championship (2023) – Gold medal in mixed team
• Asian Para Archery Championship (2023) – Gold medals in individual and mixed team events

He has been regularly practicing ever since the day he took up archery. He received financial support from the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board which provided him a monthly allowance under the sports scheme.

Before making the mark on an international stage, Rakesh won several medals at the national level. With his performance in Paris, he has established himself as an archery star.