Overexposure was just not needed for Sheetal Devi at Paralympics 2024

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Was it hype or overexposure, Sheetal Devi could not handle the pressure at the Paris Paralympics and failed to cross the quarry-final stage on Saturday? Sheetal should not be answering that question, fans and media should.

Just 17, Sheetal had become the cynosure when in qualification she had cranked up an incredible score of 703. All hell broke loose after that, and celebrations began. It was, as if, Sheetal had already won the medal. No, it was not her fault she was hyped.

To the contrary, far too much media exposure was weighing down on Sheetal, who made great copy for the Western world as well as Indian media. Sadly, people did not realise, she is a teenager and there was no need for this kind of hype.

Sheetal had a day's break after the qualification, where she was in blazing form. Ideally, she would have rested and come back fresh for her match on Saturday. To lose out by one point was painful but that's how sharp it is. If one goes through half a dozen fourth places in the Paris Olympics for India, Sheetal missing out in the quarter-finals was not expected.

Truth is, the way she was being hyped, it would have affected her. Everyone knows she has no arms and what she produces with her legs, and jaw is mind-blowing. As it is, the pressure of a first Paralympics is very high. For those confusing the Para Asian Games and Para Khelo India Games where Sheetal became the cynosure, there are lessons to learn. The girl needs to be protected from here on and over-exposure to media will only do damage.

She has many Paralympics left in her, since there are athletes competing out there even in the age group of 40 plus. The sooner Sheetal is wrapped in cotton wool and cuddled, she will return to normalcy. There have been many cases of Indian athletes and para-athletes becoming stressed under the pressure of expectation. Those who are part of the girl's support team from Katra in Jammu and Kashmir will realise even champions need to be protected.

Back to the medals from the shooting competition in Chateauroux, the tally of four till now has been defining. Avani Lekhara has led the way with a gold, while Mona Agarwal, in the same 10-metre air rifle event, did well to shoot bronze. Manish Narwal and Rubina Francis winning medals in pistol events have also shown Para shooting is serious business for India. It is well-known, Avani Lekhara, who has modelled herself on Abhinav Bindra, her idol, stands head and shoulders above the rest.

This girl from Rajasthan has shown that she can mix academics and sports, and to pursue a course as demanding as law can be tackled. Avani was down to earth when she said winning one medal will not satisfy her in the Paralympics. She will be shooting in two more events and can win medals.

That's focus and not wanting to get distracted, something which many more athletes can learn. It has come from experience, as she is competing in her second Paralympics. Indeed, Avani's focus and how to handle the big stage is a lesson for a young talent like Sheetal. And for all those who say "Sheetal was disappointing" please don't be cruel.

If Avani's medal has been world class, Mona's fight against adversity has become the talking point. She has faced immense financial hardships and to afford the rifle equipment was tough for her. Maybe now, she will get awards and rewards and she can repay her debt. Each story of an India Para athlete conquering hardships makes it even more emotional for all those who follow their exploits as they win medals.

The story of Rubina Francis is no less fascinating. At 25, she has taken time to mature. The girl from Jabalpur did not do well in her debut at the Tokyo Paralympics. Since then, she has worked hard, first at the Madhya Pradesh Shooting Academy in Bhopal, where her mentors included coach of Manu Bhaker, Jaspal Rana and his brother Subhash Rana.

Rubina took to shooting despite her medical conditions like "club foot" but once she was able to solve the issue pertaining to body balance, she continued to train hard. A first medal in the Para pistol event for an Indian woman is special. And yes, there is hope, that Indian marksmen will win more medals from the Paralympics.