Changing the odds of life in her favour, Payal Nag has broken barriers that many would have thought impossible.
Electrocuted at the age of seven and losing all four limbs, and born into a family of migrant labourers in Odisha, her early life began in circumstances that seemed to leave no room for sport, let alone international success. Yet years later, standing on the international podium with a gold medal around her neck, she has rewritten what once seemed impossible, not just for herself but for para sport in India.
The 18-year-old, Payal, announced her arrival on the global stage with a remarkable gold medal at the World Para Archery Series in Bangkok. In a high-pressure all-Indian final, she defeated reigning world champion and her idol Sheetal Devi 139–136, showing exceptional composure in her first senior international appearance.
“It feels really good. It was a very good match,” Payal told The Statesman in an exclusive conversation.
When asked about the pressure moments in the final, especially after taking the lead, she admitted that nerves were present but manageable.
“I was also a little scared,” she said. “But my ma’am was behind me, guiding me and telling me to stay calm and not take tension. Because of that, I didn’t feel much fear.”
That simplicity in thought, even under immense pressure, has become one of the defining features of her rise.
But what makes Payal Nag’s journey stand apart is not just what she achieved in Bangkok – it is how her body and the sport itself had to be adapted to make that moment possible.
Archery, in her case, is not just about technique, but reconstruction. Every movement, every shot, every stabilisation point has been carefully designed around her physical condition. Her coach explained that there is no standard model in para archery, only individual adaptation.
“Archery is very technical, and in Payal’s case, everything had to be customised,” her coach Abhilasha said. “Every para athlete is different, so there is no one method that works for all. We had to adapt everything step by step.”
Her equipment was not simply provided — it was built, tested, modified, and rebuilt again until it met international standards approved under World Archery regulations. Even then, it continued to evolve with training and competition demands.
The physical challenge is equally demanding. Payal uses prosthetics that add significant weight, and combined with her equipment, she manages nearly five kilograms of load while shooting a 60 lbs bow, a task that demands strength, repetition, and precision even for able-bodied athletes. Her body, affected by the electric shock she suffered in childhood, did not develop in a conventional way. But what her coach repeatedly returns to is not limitation, but mindset.
“Mentally, she is very strong,” he said. “That is what has helped her reach this level.”
Her journey into archery itself began unexpectedly. Living in an ashram and known for her sketches, Payal was discovered after a photograph of her artwork was shared online.
“My coach saw my drawing and contacted the ashram,” she said. “He spoke to the district collector and brought me here for training.”
From there, her transformation was rapid. Within months of structured training, she began competing, quickly progressing from a beginner to a national champion, before stepping onto the international stage.
The coach recalled her early progress vividly.
🎥 | In an #exclusive talk with The Statesman, para-archer Payal Nag and her coach #AbhilashaChaudhary opened up about the journey behind her success. Her coach shared insights into the carefully customised setup, technical challenges, and years of dedication that shaped her into… pic.twitter.com/vlyVFW9APC
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) April 11, 2026
“In the first six months, she shot using both legs,” he said. “Then she gradually adapted her technique. In her first national competition, she won two gold medals.”
Training alongside able-bodied archers has also played a crucial role in her development, ensuring that she competes under identical distances and scoring conditions.
“There is no separation in training,” the coach said. “She shoots with everyone. That builds confidence and prepares her for pressure situations.”
That preparation was evident in Bangkok, where despite facing her idol and world champion Sheetal Devi in the final, Payal remained composed and focused on her process rather than the occasion.
“I just played the same way I do in practice,” she said.
Earlier in the competition, both archers had also teamed up to win gold in the women’s compound team event, underlining India’s growing dominance in para archery.
Despite her rapid rise, Payal remains firmly focused on the future.
“I want to win a medal at the Asian Games,” she said. “After that, I want to win an Olympic medal and bring gold for my country.”
Her ambition does not stop at para sport. Like fellow archer Sheetal Devi, she also dreams of competing in able-bodied competitions and testing herself against a wider field of athletes.
“Yes, that is my dream,” she said. “I want to break records in able-bodied competitions as well.”
For Payal Nag, every arrow is more than technique or score. It is a continuation of a journey that began in survival, was shaped by discovery, and is now defined by possibility.
“I dedicate this to my parents, because I am alive today because of them,” she said. “And to my coach, without his support, I wouldn’t be here.”
As her coach summed it up, reflecting on her transformation from an uncertain beginning to international success, archery has not just shaped her career – it has given her direction, discipline, and a future built on belief.