How and why Sheetal Devi grabs headlines in Paris Paralympics archery

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Sheetal Devi has become the cynosure at the Paris Paralympics since her arrival. On Thursday (August 29), the 17-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir, who is knocking on the doors of greatness, came up with a massive score of 703 in the qualifying phase.

Yes, Sheetal was competing against a strong opponent in Turkey's Oznur Cure, who was also in blazing form. Just two points separate them, yet it was Cure who was more worried.

The hype before the Paris Paralympics has been over Sheetal. There are 84 Para athletes from India competing in Paris and Chateauroux, the shooting venue. Strangely, the focus has been Sheetal, who burst onto the scene in 2022.

Almost every detail on her has been dug out and makes for compelling reading or viewing, if it is a video. Sheetal does not get overawed.

Her focus has been tremendous and it is this ability to soak pressure which marks her out as a real superstar. Sheetal will again be seen in action on Saturday but before that as well she has become a headline-maker.

Para athletes have different disability. Reams have been written on Sheetal being an archer minus both arms. She has to rely on her two legs, her back and how to 'release' with her mouth/jaw.

The whole process has been rehearsed over and over again by Sheetal and coach Kuldeep Vedwan. Para coaches are a special lot. The way they handle the athletes and groom them is an art. Someone like Devendra Jhajharia was ecstatic when he saw Sheetal shoot on Thursday (August 29).

More than the score, he was impressed with her inner calm and composure. As one who has himself won Paralympics medals despite a handicap, Jhajharia, the PCI - Paralympic Committee of India - President has been visiting various venues.

The Para athletes need more support staff. In Sheetal's case, she has been very quiet and taken hardships in her stride. Developing the right technique has been a key, where she uses leg power, arches her back and then balances herself on a chair. How she aims at the inner ring and release the arrow is mind blowing. Nothing other than an inner 10 will make her happy.

For someone who has been around for a while, Sheetal first became a celebrity when she won gold at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou last year. She then competed in the Para Khelo Indiain New Delhi last December to win medals as well as motivate other archers.

Before this, fans of Para sports had heard about Matt Stutzman, the American who has competed and showcased his potential in two Paralympic before. Anyone making comparisons - Sheetal and Matt - will do well not to engage in such stuff.

The disability is different and for a young girl from Jammu and Kashmir, this absence of stage fright is important. She believes in herself and wants to do well. That's why her support staff, Abhilasha Chaudhary included, treat Sheetal with great care.

For those who believe in miracles, Sheetal shifted from Jammu to Katra, the foothills of the Mata Vaishno Devi temple. It is, indeed, divine intervention this girl Sheetal has overcome so many odds.

Above all, she has already become a brand ambassador for Indian athletes with disability. Indian archery at the Paris Olympics did not provide great results or a medal.

Sheetal has already ensured her methods in using the bow and arrow are unique. To customise her bow and use the entire strength of her lower body and back, Sheetal is unique. She has turned disability into ability!