Payal Nag, a 17-year-old para archer from Odisha, India, has captured the nation’s admiration by breaking barriers and reaching new heights in para-archery despite losing all four limbs in a traumatic childhood accident.
Using an innovative adaptive technique involving prosthetic limbs and custom equipment, she became a double gold medalist at the 6th National Para Archery Championship and a silver medalist at the 2025 Khelo India Para Games.
Coached by Kuldeep Vedwan at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Archery Academy in Jammu, Payal is steadily climbing the ranks to represent India on the world stage. Officials from the Paralympic Committee, state sports authorities, and her coach praise her as a beacon of inspiration and have pledged strong support for her future endeavours.
From Tragedy to Triumph
Born in a small village in Balangir district, Odisha, Payal Nag’s life changed forever at the age of eight when she suffered electric shock after stepping on a live wire while playing. The accident led to the amputation of all her four limbs, thrusting her into a world where routine activities became monumental challenges.
Raised temporarily in a childcare institution in Odisha for education and nutrition, she discovered her artistic talents by painting with her mouth. These early achievements won her recognition at district and block level art competitions, instilling pride and self-confidence despite harsh circumstances.
The State Government later provided her with high-end robotic limbs through the Advance Rehabilitation Centre in Bhubaneswar.
A New Hope in Archery
Payal’s journey into para-archery began when coach Kuldeep Vedwan discovered her in Odisha and introduced her to the sport at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Archery Academy. Inspired by Paralympian and mentor Sheetal Devi, India’s first armless archer and medalist, Payal adapted to archery with innovative techniques, using a device attached to her prosthetic leg to release arrows.
Her training involved overcoming not only physical challenges but also environmental hurdles such as competing in windy conditions. The combination of sheer will, relentless practice, and expert coaching soon bore fruit.
In January 2025, at the 6th National Para Archery Championship in Jaipur, Payal stunned spectators by defeating her idol Sheetal Devi and clinching two gold medals in the women’s compound category. Her success sent waves across the para-sports community.
Recent Achievements and Official Endorsement
Building on her earlier victories, Payal Nag participated in the 2025 Khelo India Para Games held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. There, she claimed a silver medal after a fiercely contested final against Sheetal Devi, who emerged victorious. Despite the narrow loss, Payal’s performance solidified her reputation as India’s premier para-archer without limbs, a status earned through grit and groundbreaking adaptation.
The Paralympic Committee of India and the Haryana Sports Department publicly lauded her astounding achievements and committed to sponsoring her training for international competitions, including future World Para Archery Championships.
Coach Kuldeep Vedwan expressed immense pride, highlighting her focus and discipline as exemplars for aspiring athletes facing adversity.
The Human Spirit Beyond Physical Limits
Payal Nag’s story transcends sport. It challenges society to rethink disability not as a boundary but as a starting point for creativity and courage. Her progression from a vulnerable child to a nationally recognised para-archer reflects deep reservoirs of resilience fostered through family support, expert mentorship, and institutional care.
Her artistic talents, nurtured alongside athletic training, add a uniquely human dimension to her public image, inspiring thousands to redefine perseverance. The provision of advanced prosthetic technology by the state is a reflection of growing acknowledgment of differently-abled individuals’ potential to excel given supportive ecosystems.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Payal Nag epitomises the principles of empathy, inclusion, and hope that The Logical Indian passionately supports. Her journey reminds us that courage is boundless and that society’s role is to cultivate environments where such courage can flourish.
It is imperative to not only applaud achievements like Payal’s but also to systematically improve accessibility, sports infrastructure, and holistic rehabilitation facilities nationwide.
Encouraging innovation in adaptive sports technologies and fostering widespread awareness will ensure differently abled athletes are not sidelined but celebrated.
