Indian Archer Sheetal Devi Breaks 7-Year World Record

A teenager from India just rewrote the record books with a bow and arrow, proving that physical limitations can't stop an unstoppable spirit.

Sheetal Devi, a 19-year-old para archer competing without arms, scored an incredible 149 points in the women's compound elimination round at the Asian Para Games 2026. The score broke British archer Jessica Stretton's seven-year-old world record of 148 points.

Sheetal achieved the feat during her pre-quarterfinal match against Chan Yuen, just one day after she had equaled the world record in the qualification round. She uses her feet and jaw to draw and release arrows with stunning precision.

The young athlete from Jammu, India, was born without upper limbs but discovered archery as a teenager. Her coaches quickly recognized her natural talent and fierce determination to master the sport.

Why This Inspires

Sheetal's journey reminds us that records aren't just broken by athletes who fit a certain mold. They're shattered by people who refuse to accept what others think is possible.

Her back-to-back performances at the Asian Para Games show consistency at the highest level. Breaking a world record once could be luck, but matching it one day and surpassing it the next reveals true mastery.

Young athletes with disabilities across Asia and beyond now have a new hero to look up to. Sheetal's success opens doors for others who might have thought competitive sports weren't for them.

The previous record had stood since 2019, considered nearly untouchable in the para archery world. Sheetal didn't just break it; she made it look achievable for the next generation.

Her performance continues India's rising dominance in para sports, inspiring a nation of 1.4 billion people and proving that investing in adaptive athletics pays dividends in human potential.

Sheetal's world record is now the one to beat.