Paralympians Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar Named ECI National Icons

Tags: Sports

Paralympics archery champions Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar were recognized as ECI’s national icons for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) during an event at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi

An Overview of the News

• CEC Rajiv Kumar, along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, felicitated both archers for their bronze medal success in the Paris Summer Paralympics 2024.

Achievements of Sheetal Devi

• Medal Success: Sheetal Devi won a bronze medal in archery at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

• Youngest Paralympic Medallist: At 17 years old, Sheetal Devi became India’s youngest Paralympic medallist.

• Born with Phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder without arms on January 10, 2007, in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir.

• The world’s first and only active female archer to compete without arms.

• Currently ranked first in the world in the compound open women’s category.

• Discovered by the Indian Army in 2019 and mentored by coach Kuldeep Vedwan.

• Achievements include gold medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2023 World Archery Para Championship.

• Received the Arjuna Award 2023 from President Droupadi Murmu.

Achievements of Rakesh Kumar

• Medal Success: Rakesh Kumar, who teamed up with Sheetal for a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, was announced as ECI National Icon for PwDs.

• International Representation: Kumar has represented India at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics.

• Other Achievements: He won a gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2023 World Archery Para Championship and in the Asian Para Games 2022-23, as well as silver medals in the individual and men’s team categories at the same Asian Para Games.