Watch: Para-Archer Sheetal Devi's Inspirational Arjuna Award Win

26 athletes and para-athletes were bestowed the highest sports honour of the country, The Arjuna Awards, and among them was 17-year-old para-archer champion, Sheetal Devi a teen champion who made her family and the nation proud.

As the Golden Girl Of India walked on the ramp to receive the honour award, The Durbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan where the awards ceremony was held, uproared with rapturous applause.

Watch: Para-Archer Sheetal Devi At National Sports Awards

As Devi marks her 17th birthday, the magnificent para-archer yesterday was honoured with the country's second highest-ranking award felicitated by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Hailing from the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, Devi's unwavering resilience and extraordinary journey in her sports are an inspiration to many.  

This recognition capped off a phenomenal year for Sheetal, during which she became the first Indian woman athlete to win two gold medals at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, and emerged as the first armless woman to clinch a Para World Archery Championships medal with a gold medal win against Singapore's Alim Nur Syahidah. She also secured a silver medal in the open women's compound archery event at the World Archery Para Championships in the Czech Republic.

Sharing her joy on her X (formerly Twitter) handle Devi expressed her gratitude as she wrote: "This day is special!! Honoured to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award from the honourable President of India. Thank you all for the love, support & encouragement."

The President held the award and scroll for Devi as she walked onto the stage and received it with utmost grace.

The Arjuna Award, named after Arjuna, the legendary archer from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, is one of India's highest sporting honours. Receiving this prestigious award at such a young age is a remarkable achievement for Sheetal Devi, and it undoubtedly marks the beginning of an even brighter future for this exceptional athlete.

Heartfelt congratulations to Sheetal Devi on being bestowed with the Arjuna Award for her extraordinary accomplishments in Para-Archery. 

Sheetal, you are a role model for the nation and the world; you have made the world acknowledge your passion, zeal, and hard work. May you… pic.twitter.com/0kOrh4io0Q

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) January 9, 2024

This day is special!!

Honoured to receive the prestigious Arjuna Award from the honourable President of India.

Thank you all for the love, support & encouragement. pic.twitter.com/TWUmLQgjMQ

— SheetalArcher (@ArcherSheetal) January 9, 2024