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Payal Nag, an 18-year-old para-archer who has just made world history by becoming the only international quadruple-amputee archer in the world. Payal lost both limbs when she was around 5-8 years old, simply because she had touched a live high-voltage wire that was lying on the ground at a construction site or brick kiln, her life dad being a migrant laborer (Bijay) and her mom (Janata Nag).

She was put in a government orphanage, and at the time she first attracted attention by drawing with her feet because she was in extreme hardship. Payal joined the sport of archery in 2023 after being inspired by videos by para-archer Sheetal Devi, who started the sport in 2020 with the help of a coach, Kuldeep Vedwan, who had created modified adaptive equipment that enabled her to hold the bow with a prosthetic support and arch through her mouth.

During her first global appearance at the Hyundai World Archery Para Series 2026 in Bangkok, Payal reached the spectacular debut as she beat the world No. 1 and decorated colleague Sheetal Devi 139-136 in the compound women's final. India led in the event with seven golds in total.

Her inspirational story of strength has motivated millions of people, and it can show that determination is strong in para-sports. Payal is now looking at the bigger stage, including the future glory of the Paralympics.