“From the ashes of tragedy rose a champion who draws her bow with her mouth and aims for the stars.”
In a stirring display of grit and glory, India concluded the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok with an impressive haul of 16 medals, including seven golds, five silvers, and four bronzes. The crowning moment came when 18-year-old quadruple amputee archer Payal Nag stunned the world by defeating top-ranked Sheetal Devi 139–136 in the compound women’s final on 4 April 2026. It marked her first international gold medal and only her second appearance on the global stage.
Payal Nag’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Hailing from Balangir, Odisha, she belongs to a family of migrant labourers who worked at construction sites across states. Life took a tragic turn when she was just eight years old. A severe electric shock led to the amputation of both her arms and legs, leaving her with quadruple limb loss.
Admitted to Parvatigiri Balniketan, a childcare institution in Odisha, Payal slowly rebuilt her life. With limited resources but boundless determination, she learned to write and draw using her mouth. Her artwork earned recognition at district-level competitions, showcasing the focus and discipline that would later define her sporting career.
Archery entered her life through videos of Sheetal Devi, the very athlete she would one day defeat. Inspired, Payal caught the attention of coach Kuldeep Vedwan, who brought her to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Archery Academy in Katra. Here, she began rigorous training with customized equipment. She anchors the bow with her mouth and releases the string using shoulder movement, a technique she has mastered to perfection.
Payal’s rise has been meteoric. She started competing at national events and won a silver medal at the Khelo India Para Games 2025. Her international debut came at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai in December 2025. Just months later in Bangkok, the teenager delivered a stunning upset against the world number one.
Among India’s other standout performers were Toman Kumar, who clinched gold in the compound men’s event by defeating Australia’s Jonathon Milne 146–142, and Bhawna, who dominated the recurve women’s final 6–0 against Thailand’s Phattharaphon Pattawaeo. Double Paralympic medallist Harvinder Singh settled for silver, while Swati Chaudhary also claimed silver in the W1 women’s category. Shyam Sunder Swami secured bronze in the compound men’s individual event.
Payal continues to train at the academy in Katra, now setting her sights on the 2026 Asian Para Games. Her story is a powerful reminder that physical limitations cannot confine a determined spirit. In an era where para-sports in India is gaining momentum, Payal Nag has emerged as a shining beacon of hope, resilience, and excellence.
