Payal Nag Triumphs Over Sheetal Devi at World Archery Para Series
KOLKATA: "Sheetal and I are friends off the field, but once we spot the target and take aim..." Three days after dominating the World Archery Para Series event and beating Sheetal Devi for the individual compound gold medal in Bangkok, Payal Nag trails off when describing the intense competitive moment.
"We have a fierce competitive mindset when playing against each other," the 18-year-old archer revealed in an exclusive interview on Tuesday. This victory marks another chapter in their growing rivalry on the international para archery circuit.
A Growing Rivalry on the World Stage
Payal Nag had already demonstrated her exceptional talent by defeating Sheetal Devi for gold earlier at the Paralympic Nationals in January 2025. Their competitive history includes:
- Pushing each other to the limit at the Khelo India Para Games
- Intense competition at the National Championships earlier this year
- Multiple podium finishes with Payal securing silver and bronze medals
Despite their individual rivalry, the two athletes displayed remarkable teamwork at the Thailand event. Payal partnered with Sheetal in the team competition, where together they demonstrated uncommon determination and skill to win the women's gold medal on Friday.
A Life-Altering Accident and Unimaginable Challenges
The journey to this international success began with unimaginable tragedy. At just eight years old, Payal was playing with her brother when she stepped on a naked wire lying in a puddle of water at a nearby construction site. The Class III girl suffered critical injuries that left doctors with no option but to amputate all four limbs to save her life.
With limited means to care for a quadruple amputee, her parents Bijay and Janata faced heartbreaking decisions. The then district collector of Bolangir in Odisha advised them to send Payal to an orphanage, the Parbati Giri Bal Niketan in their home district. Even more devastating were suggestions from relatives and neighbors who believed it would be better to "swiftly put her out of her misery" by ending her life.
"She won't be able to eat or walk, better to just give her some poison," they reportedly said during those difficult days.
Defying All Odds Through Unwavering Determination
Bijay and Janata demonstrated extraordinary strength and refused to give up on their daughter. Today, just ten years after that life-changing accident, their daughter has become the only limbless archer competing on the international stage.
"When people made those remarks, I was still young but I remember them clearly," Payal revealed. "It was tough, but now when I look back on those very words, I feel a mix of emotions—it's both painful and gratifying."
The champion archer expressed gratitude even toward those who doubted her potential: "I feel grateful to those who spoke against me; it was precisely because they said those things that I was able to summon the courage to push forward and reach such great heights."
The Turning Point: From Art to Archery
Payal's remarkable transformation began when coach Vedwan discovered her artistic talent. Having taken to painting at the orphanage, Payal's artwork posted on social media platform 'X' caught Vedwan's attention in 2023. He brought her to the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in Jammu, introducing her to what would become her life's passion.
Vedwan developed a customized bow for Payal with an identical release mechanism that he had previously devised for Sheetal Devi. The innovative equipment allows Payal to lift the special bow with prosthetic legs fitted with a steel device along with a chest release mechanism. Since she cannot load arrows herself, her 20-year-old sister Barsa, who stays with her in Jammu, assists with this crucial task.
"I didn't know anything about archery and took two years to master the skills," Payal explained about her challenging learning journey.
Future Aspirations and Olympic Dreams
There has been no looking back for the determined archer who is now concentrating on winning gold for India at major international competitions. "My parents are incredibly happy right now," she shared. "They called me to come back home to Odisha, but I have decided not to go just yet. That's because I want to win another international medal."
Payal explained her decision to remain in Jammu for now: "Since I have specific training requirements to meet, I am staying back in Jammu for now. I just want to go out there and win again." Her sights are firmly set on bringing glory to India at the Asian Games and Paralympics, continuing her inspiring journey from tragedy to triumph on the world stage.
