Born without arms, she now competes against able-bodied athletes

Sheetal Devi is a name India won't soon forget. At just 18 years old, this phenomenal inspirational athlete has done the unthinkable. Born without arms, Sheetal isn't just a world-class para-archer; she has now become the first in India's history to earn a spot on the able-bodied Indian archery team.

This incredible feat was solidified after she finished third in the national trials, competing against 60 of the country's best. But how does an armless archer shoot a bow? Her journey is a masterclass in ingenuity and relentless spirit.

It all begins with her feet. Sheetal uses her toes for everything—from writing to eating, and now, to firing arrows. She lifts her 53-pound compound bow with her right foot, holding it steady between her big toe and second digit.

The real innovation, however, is her release. Her coach, Kuldeep Vedwan, adapted a technique from American archer Matt Stutzman. Sheetal wears a special release aid strapped to her shoulder. She draws the bowstring back and then uses her jaw to push a trigger, letting the arrow fly. This method, while effective, initially caused painful wounds on her chin, a challenge she has worked tirelessly to overcome.

Her training is as unique as her technique. Physiotherapists work with her to strengthen her core and hip muscles, which are crucial for maintaining stability. To improve her toe grip and control, she uses an unlikely tool: clay. Borrowed from shooting, she squeezes the clay with her toes to build steady pressure.

Perhaps most astonishingly, she does strength training by lifting 5kg dumbbells with her feet, holding the pose for minutes at a time. It's this combination of natural strength, frugal innovation, and sheer willpower that has propelled Sheetal Devi from a village in Jammu and Kashmir to the global stage, proving that limitations are only what you perceive them to be.