SHEETAL Devi sees no reason to draw a line between being a Paralympian and competing against able-bodied archers. The 19-year-old from Jammu, who shoots with her feet, has already tested herself in competitions where most of her opponents have both hands. Now, she wants to take that challenge to the biggest stage of all, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. “Of course. I want to give my best in able-bodied archery as well,” Sheetal told PTI in an exclusive conversation after beating Singapore’s Syahidah Nur Alim to win gold in the women’s individual compound event at the Asian Para Games. In 2025, she made history by becoming the first Indian para-archer selected for the national ablebodied team, competing at the Asia Cup in Jeddah. For the armless archer, the ambition is not merely about making history. It is also about the confidence she has gained from competing against able-bodied archers. “I don’t feel like I’m a para-archer when I compete and do well,” she said.

 

“If I can give my best here, I believe I can do well in able-bodied competitions too.” Her coach said the team would look to compete in able-bodied trials again next year while continuing preparations for the international circuit. Sheetal defeated Singapore’s Alim 142-139 to retain her individual compound title, repeating their final from the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023. Earlier on Thursday, she won mixed team gold with Toman Kumar. A silver medal with Payal Nag in the women’s doubles had already made it a productive campaign. “I did not want to keep thinking about what had already happened,” she said. “I told myself that whatever had happened was in the past. I focused on doing well in the next round.” “I told her not to chase 10s and to focus on the process,” her coach, Gaurav Sharma, told PTI. “Bring the arrow into the yellow and take it out. If we focus too much on hitting 10s…” Her coach has outlined an international programme that includes the World Championships and Asian Championships, with securing an Olympic quota among the long-term objectives. “We will try to compete in the able-bodied trials next year,” he revealed.