J&K's Sheetal Devi becomes World No. 1 Para Archer

Jammu: Following her success in securing two gold medals at the Para Asian Games, Sheetal Devi has ascended two positions to claim the top spot in the para world archery rankings for the women's compound open category.
Rakesh Kumar, who won three gold medals at recently-concluded Para Asian Championship, also moved up two places to become world No 3, behind Nathan Macqueen of Great Britain and Matteo Bonacina of Italy.
Indian para archer Sarita, who returned with a bronze medal at the Bangkok Asian Championships was the highest gainer, moving up seven places to become world No 6 in Tuesday's update.
The prodigious talent had also won the Best Youth Athlete Of The Year honour at the Asian Awards 2023 in Riyadh on, November 25.
The 16-year-old became the first Indian athlete ever to win the laurel.
The girl from Jammu and Kashmir was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder that causes under-developed limbs. A native of Loidhar village in Kishtwar, Sheetal's talent was discovered at a youth event organised by the Indian Army in Kishtwar in 2021. She caught the attention of the scouts there because of her athleticism.
What makes Sheetal unique is the fact that she shoots with the help of her legs. USA's legendary para archer Matt Stutzman used a similar technique.

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