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Quadruple Amputee Payal Nag's Viral Drawing Leads to Archery Stardom

Payal Nag, a quadruple amputee, saw her life transform after a picture of her mouth-drawn art went viral, catching coach Kuldeep Vedwan's attention. She began training in archery and recently delivered a sensational performance at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, defeating reigning world champion Sheetal Devi. Nag lost all four limbs at age seven after contacting a high-voltage power line and later honed her artistic skills before discovering archery. Her journey from a government childcare institute to the international stage marks her as a pioneering figure in the sport.

Key Points: Payal Nag: Viral Drawing to World Archery Champion

  • Defeated world champion Sheetal Devi
  • Viral drawing launched her career
  • India's first quadruple amputee archer
  • Trained at Mata Vaishno Devi complex
  • Overcame losing limbs at age 7
2 min read

The viral drawing that changed everything: Payal Nag's tryst with archery

Quadruple amputee Payal Nag defeats world champion Sheetal Devi after a viral drawing launched her archery journey. An inspiring story of resilience.

"What followed was not just the discovery of archery but the discovery of self-belief, discipline and purpose."

New Delhi, April 7

For Payal Nag, a quadruple amputee, life changed completely when a picture of her drawing, which she drew with her mouth, went viral on social media; that caught the attention of coach Kuldeep Vedwan. What followed was not just the discovery of archery but the discovery of self-belief, discipline and purpose.

Payal delivered a sensational performance at the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok on Saturday, defeating reigning world champion Sheetal Devi, the world's first female limbless archer.

At just seven years old, she lost all four of her limbs after coming in contact with an 11,000-volt power line passing over a roof in 2015. The daughter of migrant labourers from Balangir district in India's eastern state of Odisha, she grew up facing doubts and ridicule about how she would live her life.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, her family moved to Chhattisgarh, a state in central India. With sustained support from the state administration, Nag was sent to Parbhatigiri Balniketan, a government childcare institute where her needs could be properly met. There she developed a desire to achieve something significant despite her challenges. Gradually, she discovered a passion for sketching portraits using her feet, going on to win several district-level art competitions.

She used to draw pictures with her mouth, and one day someone posted one of these pictures on 'X', which went viral. Coach Kuldeep Vedwan saw this and then contacted Payal for the first time. He requested the orphanage management for her transfer. Then, Vedwan visited the orphanage and brought Payal to Jammu.

Payal trained alongside Paralympic medallist Sheetal Devi at the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex in 2023 and 2024. National Para-Archery Championship in 2025 was her first competition. She secured the top spot in the presence of many of India's para-archery legends, including Sheetal as well as Paralympian Jyoti Baliyan.

Additionally, Payal also defeated Sheetal in the Olympic round to become the national champion.

In December 2025, Payal stepped onto the shooting line at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games to shoot her first arrows at an international competition, scripting history as India's and the world's first quadruple amputee archer to compete internationally.

Earlier this year at the Indian Para Archery Championships, Nag finished second in qualification behind world champion and Paralympic medallist Sheetal, before going on to claim bronze in the individual event.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This story gives me goosebumps. Hats off to Coach Kuldeep Vedwan for spotting the talent and to the Chhattisgarh administration for the initial support. Sometimes, all it takes is one person to believe in you. More power to Payal!
D
David E
As someone who follows para sports, this is monumental. To defeat Sheetal Devi, who is a legend herself, shows Payal's extraordinary skill and mental strength. The future of Indian para-archery is in amazing hands.
A
Aditya G
While this is a fantastic feel-good story, it also highlights how much hidden talent exists in our rural areas and government institutions. We need more proactive scouts and systems to identify and nurture them, not just rely on viral luck.
S
Sarah B
The journey from Odisha to Jammu for training... that's a huge shift for a young girl. Her adaptability is as impressive as her athletic prowess. Wishing her all the best for Paris 2028!
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Kavya N
बहुत बहुत बधाई Payal! 🏹 This is why we should never underestimate anyone. She drew with her mouth, won art competitions, and now is a champion archer. "Where there's a will, there's a way" personified.

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