PM, LG congratulated the Duo, They Have Demonstrated Remarkable Dexterity and Determination
Jammu: Ace archers’ duo of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar, have bagged a bronze medal in the compound open archery mixed team event.
Sheetal Devi, 17, from village Loidhar, Kishtwar, and Rakesh Kumar, 39, from Katra, Reasi, teamed up to defeat Italy’s Matteo Bonacina and Eleonora Sarti 156-155, clinching the bronze medal.
The duo has become the first Olympic medalists from Jammu and Kashmir and has made history in Indian Paralympic archery.
Coach Kuldeep Vedhwan praised their perseverance, especially highlighting Sheetal’s role, who became the first Indian woman to win an archery medal at the Paralympics.
Sheetal was born with phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder, but has overcome immense physical challenges to become a top-tier archer.
Rakesh Kumar, on the other hand, was born on January 13, 1985, in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir. His father works as a carpenter, and his mother is a housewife. In 2010, Rakesh met with an accident and was paralyzed, confining him to a wheelchair. He even considered committing suicide but found a new purpose in archery.
Rakesh started practicing archery in 2017 and has since won several medals at the national level. He has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination, inspiring millions across the nation.
PM Narendra Modi tweeted, “Teamwork triumphs! Congratulations to Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar on winning the Bronze in Mixed Team Compound Open Archery. They have demonstrated remarkable dexterity and determination. India is delighted by this feat.”
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated the duo, saying, “Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar have brought glory to the nation and immense pride to J&K by winning Bronze in Mixed Team Compound Open Archery event at #ParisParalympics2024. You inspire millions across the nation. Many congratulations on this remarkable achievement.”
