Sheetal Devi Named World Archery’s Para Archer of the Year 2025 | 01 Apr 2026

Why in News? 

Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi has been honoured with the ‘Para Archer of the Year 2025’ title at the World Archery Awards for her outstanding performances in international para-archery competitions. 

Key Points 

• Historic Achievement: The 19-year-old athlete from Jammu and Kashmir became the first and only female armless archer to win a gold medal at the World Para Archery Championships 2025.  
• World Championship Gold: She won the women’s compound individual event at the championship held in Gwangju, South Korea.  
  • At the same championships, she also secured a silver medal in the women’s team event and a bronze medal in the mixed team event, completing a full set of medals. 
• Other Achievements: She even won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and silver medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games. 
  • She was conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2024. 
• Unique Technique: Born without arms, Sheetal Devi uses her feet, legs, and shoulder to draw and release the bow, demonstrating exceptional skill and determination in the sport. 
• Other awards: 
  • Archer of the Year: Emircan Haney of Turkey. 
  • Young Archer of the Year: Baptiste Addis of France. 
  • Best Team of the Year: South Korea men's recurve archery team from South Korea.