The Architecture of a Miracle: How Payal Nag and Coach Abhilasha Are Redefining What’s Possible in Archery

On a tense evening in Bangkok in April 2026, 18-year-old Payal Nag held her nerve to defeat her idol, Sheetal Devi, 139 to 136, becoming the world's first limbless archery champion. It was a victory that felt "bigger than sport," but behind the gold medal lies a narrative of technical innovation, emotional resilience, and a coaching partnership that began in the rural heart of Katra.

The journey began not on a podium, but in 2017 at the first-ever archery center in Jammu and Kashmir- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Archery Academy. For Coach Abhilasha, entering a male-dominated sport as a female coach brought significant hurdles. "I was an archer myself since my school time," Abhilasha recalls. "It was 2017 which was the turning point... it was Mata Rani's blessings that I was called up here to join as a coach".

Working alongside Coach Kuldeep Vedwan, an Army veteran and farmer's son, Abhilasha helped build the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Archery Academy from the ground up. "Being a female... there were many challenges, but Kuldeep ji and I worked together, and this academy grew," she explains. Their partnership is one of complementary styles: "We complement each other... we built this academy together and even today we are together with the team".

Engineering the Impossible

The "Katra method" is famous for its "handmade" resourcefulness. When Payal Nag arrived at the academy-having lost all four limbs to an electrocution accident at age eight-the coaches realized that standard training manuals were useless.

"Payal came and her strength, her stability, her mechanism-it was completely different than Sheetal [Devi]," Abhilasha says. While Sheetal uses her legs, Payal relies on a customized prosthetic and a mouth-trigger mechanism. Abhilasha details the technical evolution: "Initially, we started Payal shooting with prosthetics on both legs... because she needed to learn how to shoot an arrow first. Mastery comes later". Eventually, they shifted her to one leg, designing a unique "V-shaped" metal grip that had to be approved by World Archery before she could compete internationally.

From Canvas to Competition

Payal's entry into the sport was as unconventional as her technique. She was discovered by Coach Kuldeep through a viral video of her painting with her mouth.

"I didn't even know about archery," Payal admits. "When I used to draw, I was thinking I would do something in drawing only". But the focus required for art translated perfectly to the range. "From the day I came to this ground, my dream has been to bring an Olympic gold medal for India," she says.

During the high-pressure Bangkok final, it was Abhilasha's voice that kept her centered. "When I was fighting for the gold medal, Ma'am was behind me," Payal recounts. "She was explaining to me to shoot well with full confidence... don't take too much tension, shoot with a free mind as we do in practice".

More Able," Not Disabled

Abhilasha rejects the label of "disabled" for her athletes. She prefers the term "Divyang," popularized by India's Prime Minister. "My para archers are more able," Abhilasha insists. "They have fought life's ups and downs... if they have won by fighting society, their family, and their disabilities, they have already won half the battle before they even reach the ground".

This mental toughness is what allows Payal and Sheetal to remain close friends despite being world-class rivals. "There is no word called rivalry," Abhilasha notes. "Off the field, they are friends... they have their own compassion for each other". Payal agrees, recalling their conversation before the Bangkok final: "We both talked... I also said, 'do well.' So okay, we both will do well. And both did well".

The Road to the Podium

For Abhilasha, the success of Payal and Sheetal is about more than just individual glory; it is a responsibility to the nation. "When you wear the jersey of India, you are just somebody representing India," she says. "I see their journey as the rising stars of tomorrow... it is a matter of pride and joy when our national anthem plays in a foreign country".

As for Payal, her gaze is fixed firmly on the future. "I will work harder and keep increasing my score," she says simply. Her ultimate goal is clear: "I will also give an Olympic gold medal. That is my dream".