Sheetal Devi Wins Best Young Athlete At APC Conference
Indian para archer Sheetal Devi emerged victorious at the fourth edition of the Asian Awards in Riyadh securing the prestigious title of Best Youth Athlete. The Asian Awards, organized by the Asian Paralympic Committee, is a ceremony dedicated to honoring outstanding achievements of Asian para athletes and officials.
Devi’s remarkable performance at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games in October played a pivotal role in earning her the coveted award. The 16-year-old para archer clinched gold in both the individual and team compound events, further adding a silver medal in the compound doubles category to her impressive tally.
The year 2023 marked a breakthrough for Sheetal Devi, born with the condition of phocomelia. Inspired by the achievements of the USA’s Matt Stutzman, she joined the ranks of ‘armless archers.’ Devi’s success garnered attention, and she had the privilege of meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after her outstanding performance in Hangzhou. Earlier in the year, she secured a silver medal at the Pilsen 2023 World Archery Para Championships in July.
Devi’s journey towards excellence faced a tough challenge at the Bangkok 2023 Asian Para Archery Championships, where she narrowly missed claiming the continental title. In a closely contested shootoff, she conceded victory to Nur Syahidah Alim. Despite the setback, Devi continued to showcase her resilience and determination.
In a testament to her skill and consistency, Sheetal Devi achieved the world number one ranking in compound women this year. This recognition solidifies her as a force to be reckoned with in the world of para archery.
The biannual Asian Awards features six categories, including Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Best Youth Athlete (won by Sheetal Devi), Best Team Performance, Best Photography, and Exemplary Asian Official. The ceremony aims to celebrate and honor the remarkable contributions and accomplishments within the Asian Paralympic community.
In addition to the award categories, the Asian Order was presented to six distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to Asian Paralympic sport. The recipients include Shaikh Mohamed Duaij Al Khalifa, President of NPC Bahrain; Mr. Manabu Aso from Japan; Mr. Mukhtorkhon Tashkhodjaev, President of NPC Uzbekistan, and the Executive Secretary General of HAPGOC, Mr. Chen Weiqiang.
Additionally, two more Asian Orders were presented to Mr. Jung Jin Owan from the Republic of Korea and Mr. Yasushi Yamawaki from Japan, both of whom had previously received the Paralympic Order from the IPC.
Q. What title did Sheetal Devi secure at the fourth edition of the Asian Awards in Riyadh?
Answer: Sheetal Devi secured the title of Best Youth Athlete at the fourth edition of the Asian Awards in Riyadh.
Q. Which organization organizes the Asian Awards that honored Sheetal Devi’s achievements?
Answer: The Asian Paralympic Committee organizes the Asian Awards, dedicated to honoring outstanding achievements of Asian para athletes and officials.
Q. What condition was Sheetal Devi born with, and what inspired her to take up archery?
Answer: Sheetal Devi was born with the condition of phocomelia. She was inspired to take up archery by the achievements of the USA’s Matt Stutzman.
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