At the Khelo India National Meet, para-archer Sheetal wins silver in the competition against the able-bodied

Silver was won by Asian Para Games gold medallist Sheetal Devi at the Khelo India NTPC National Ranking archery event, where she came in second behind the junior world champion and able-bodied Haryana shooter Ekta Rani.

The 17-year-old Sheetal battled against juvenile archers with competent bodies at the DDA Yamuna Sports Complex. In the individual compound event final, she was defeated by Ekta 138–140.

Because of a rare illness called phocomelia, Sheetal was born without arms and is the sole international para-archery champion. She won two gold medals and a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, earning her the Arjuna Award earlier this year.

Sheetal is certain that her success at the Khelo India tournament will help her be ready for the next difficulties.

In a media release issued by the Sports Authority of India, Sheetal was cited as stating, “This result will help me more going forward in the international platforms and the Olympics.”

Prior to the Paralympics, the girl really needed the competition, according to her coach, Abhilasha.

The archer’s instructor Abhilasha said, “Competing in the national ranking tournament with able-bodied competitors is giving training and competition exposure, which is much-needed prior to the Olympics.”

“We are gaining the same experience here, but we must go overseas for exposure. These kinds of domestic competitions are beneficial to the cause, Abhilasha said.

Ekta said that she was motivated by Sheetal’s participation in the tournament.

“I had match experience against Sheetal since we squared off in the past. We also squared off in Patiala in December of last year. Because she is an armless archer, it feels nice to play against her, and it also provides a lot of drive, Ekta said.

Sheetal won Rs 40,000 in prize money, while Ekta took home Rs 50,000.

There were three divisions for the recurve and compound tournament: senior, junior, and sub-junior. There were 87 archers competing in this competition.