High in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir a young girl used to sit on the sidelines, watching her friends run and play.
Sports day, for her, meant cheering others — never imagining that one day the world would cheer for her.
Today, that same girl — Sheetal Devi — has become a ground-breaking athlete who is leading the way for other young people like herself.
The 18-year-old archer from Kishtwar recently made history at the 2025 World Para Archery Championships in South Korea by defeating defending champion and world number one Oznur Cure of Turkey.
In doing so, she became the first armless woman in history to win a world championship title.
Born without arms due to a rare congenital disorder, Devi learned to use her feet for everything — eating, writing, climbing trees, and eventually shooting arrows with astonishing precision.
Her technique is unique — she holds the bow with her feet, notches the arrow with her mouth using a special shoulder device, and uses her toes to pick up an arrow and load it into the bow.
Then, utilising a special device called a releaser, she connects her body to the bow.
With focus, she takes aim and fires.
Devi 'found her own way to do everything'
Growing up in a humble farmer family, Devi's father Maan Singh recalls a girl who "never waited for anyone to help her", but "found her own way to do everything".
"From the very beginning, she was different — not because of her condition, but because of her spirit," he said.
Devi's childhood was marked by curiosity and independence.
"I used to watch my brother and friends climb trees," she said.
"My mother was scared I'd get hurt, but I still did it secretly.
"I must have fallen a few times, but that never stopped me. Soon, I was climbing faster and higher than them."
In her small world without television or mobile phones, she had no reference for what life could be like for someone without arms.
"What others did with their hands, I learned to do with my legs. It came naturally," she said.
"As a child, I didn't really understand that I had a rare condition. But as I grew older I realised I was different, that I couldn't do certain things the way others did.
"That challenge, however, pushed me to find my own way."
Devi did not consider sport as an option
Four years ago Devi travelled to Bengaluru for medial treatment that ultimately didn't work.
It was on that fateful trip that she was introduced to sports and archery.
"I didn't even know professional sports existed," she said.
"When my treatment failed I was heartbroken. But I met people who saw potential in me and supported my journey.
"I've seen both the good and the bad in this journey, and I've realised that it's always the good that truly outshines. Some believed in me when I didn't believe in myself."
Devi wasn't immediately taken by archery, saying it took months to convince her to give the sport a chance.
Watching videos of the legendary American armless archer Matt Stutzman changed everything.
Inspired by his technique, she began training seriously under her first coach, Kuldeep Vedwan.
"He made me lift dumbbells with my feet, use elastic bands to strengthen my legs. Everything was about balance, precision, and patience," Devi said.
In 2022 she relocated to the Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex in Katra where her dream took shape under her current coach, Gaurav Sharma.
Rule change forced Devi to re-learn technique
Sharma describes training Devi as "a journey unlike any other."
When new international rules required her to shoot with only her toes — without her heel touching the bow — she had to completely relearn her technique.
"It was mentally and physically exhausting," Sharma said.
"We rebuilt everything — her core strength, her focus, her form.
"But Devi never complained. She worked harder than anyone."
That resilience paid off. After winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics — becoming the youngest Indian Paralympian medallist — Devi went on to win golds at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Para Games.
People with disability inspired by Devi
As her fame spread so did Devi's impact.
"What touches me most are the genuine reactions — like a six-year-old armless girl from the US who tagged me in her video saying she wanted to try archery some day," she said.
"Or an [armless] boy from a remote Indian village who spoke to me for half an hour about his dreams. I want to meet him and help him in whatever way I can."
Her coach, too, is deeply moved by her spirit.
"Beyond her grit she's fun, spirited, and full of life," he said.
"Her laughter lights up the training ground. Her positivity lifts everyone.
"And she's only just begun. Her best is yet to come."
Her father still watches her matches on his phone, not quite believing the scale of her success.
"When she won her first medal I didn't even understand how big it was. I just said, 'Mubarak ho, beta' [congratulations]. Now I know the whole world is proud of her."
Her mother, Shakti Devi, also travels with Devi to matches, and ensures she gets her favourite food whenever she returns home.
"She loves homemade ghee and milk," her mother said.
"Once we moved it was all packet stuff, so when she's home I make sure she gets plenty."
Despite her growing fame, Devi remains grounded and focused on her mission.
"I want to keep winning for India, but I also want to give back," she said.
"There are so many children in rural India with talent who need support and guidance. I want to help them dream and make those dreams real."
As for any advice she has for other aspiring athletes, Devi says to simply "believe in yourself, even if no-one else does".
"Show up every day, improve a little at a time, and trust your journey," she said.
"If someone like me, from a small mountain village, can achieve this so can you."
Mona Parthsarathi is an award-winning sports journalist with over two decades of experience. Known for her compelling human-interest stories, she brings to light the personal struggles, triumphs, and resilience of athletes.
Mona is part of ABC International Development's Women in News and Sport Initiative, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Team Up program.
