What does true excellence look like? On February 17, 2026, at the Trident, Nariman Point, in Mumbai, it looked like Sheetal Devi—calm, confident, and unstoppable. At the inaugural Vogue Values: Women of Excellence, presented by Tira Beauty and hosted by Rohan Joshi, the spotlight was on women who defined 2025 through impact and innovation. Among entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural icons stood a para-archer who has quietly rewritten Indian sporting history. Sheetal Devi was not just another award recipient. She was the embodiment of resilience and representation. Her presence sent a powerful message: para athletes are no less. Not in performance. Not in perseverance. Not in presence.

A Platform That Celebrates More Than Success

Organised by Vogue India, the evening moved from thoughtful panel discussions to a grand awards ceremony celebrating women across sports, culture, entrepreneurship, and social impact. The event brought together influential voices from diverse industries, creating a space where achievement was measured not just in fame, but in transformation. In that room, excellence had many faces. Yet Sheetal’s story stood out because it carried something deeper than recognition. It carried change.

The Athlete Who Made History

Sheetal Devi’s journey is historic. She was born with a rare congenital condition known as phocomelia, which leads to underdeveloped or absent limbs. Born in 2007 in Jammu & Kashmir, India, she has no arms, yet rose to international fame as a para-archer, skillfully using her feet, legs, and shoulders to shoot. Competing at the highest level of para-archery, she became India’s youngest Paralympic medallist at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Her achievement did more than add a medal to the country’s tally. It reshaped conversations around accessibility and representation in Indian sport. 

She had already created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in para-archery at the Asian Para Games. Her performances at the World Para Archery Championships further established her as a global force. But medals alone do not define her. What defines her is precision under pressure. Discipline beyond doubt. Courage without compromise. Every arrow she releases reflects years of training, sacrifice, and mental strength. In a country where para athletes often struggle for visibility and sponsorship, her rise signals progress.

Redefining Representation Beyond the Field

At Vogue Values, Sheetal was styled elegantly, standing tall among some of the most recognised names in entertainment and business. Her appearance was not merely about fashion. It was about representation. For decades, para athletes have largely been seen through the lens of struggle. Rarely have they been positioned at the intersection of sport, glamour, and mainstream celebration. That evening changed the narrative. Sheetal did not just represent para athletes. She represented them in style. Her presence in a space synonymous with influence and culture reinforced an important truth: excellence has no prefix. Strength and sophistication can coexist. Talent and grace can share the same stage. Young girls watching her that evening did not just see an athlete. They saw possibility.

A Voice That Carries Beyond Medals

Sheetal also participated in a sports-focused panel discussion, where she spoke about her journey and experiences. In doing so, she revealed the human story behind the headlines. Behind every podium finish lies relentless practice. Behind every medal is silent resilience. Sheetal’s voice brings those realities to light. Her story connects deeply because it reflects universal emotions: doubt, determination, and the hunger to prove oneself. For parents raising children with disabilities, she offers hope. For aspiring athletes, she offers belief. For society, she offers perspective. She challenges outdated perceptions of limitation and replaces them with evidence of capability.

Beyond the Spotlight

The applause that evening was not just for a medal. It was for a mindset. It was for a movement that insists ability should never be underestimated. Sheetal Devi’s recognition is a milestone not only for her but for every para athlete striving for equal respect and visibility. She stands as proof that excellence knows no boundaries. In celebrating her, Vogue Values celebrated possibility itself. And as she continues to aim higher on and off the field, she reminds India that greatness is not defined by limitation, but by determination. Para athletes are no less. And Sheetal Devi represents them powerfully, gracefully, and unapologetically.