A RevSportz Exclusive
The world knows Sheetal Devi for her extraordinary achievements. Perhaps, it has started noticing Payal Nag as well. Sheetal is the world’s first woman armless archer to win medals in top events. She made global headlines by finishing on the podium at the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou and then at the Paris Paralympics. Later, she became the first miracle to win the World Championship individual gold in compound.
Payal made jaws drop after she defeated her idol, Sheetal, at the national championships. It was a massive moment in the history of para games. Payal is the only quadruple amputee archer in the world. At the RevSportz Trailblazers 3.0 Conclave, her unbelievable display of skills stunned a packed audience.
As we step into 2026, an important year for Indian sports — Asian Games and Para Games, along with multiple international events — lies ahead.
Three more armless archers — Sourabh Pathak, Manoj Yadav, Ayush Kumar — are entering the circuit. They are training at Matarani Shrine Academy in Jammu and Kashmir. It is run by Kuldeep Vedwan, India’s para archery coach. This is the academy Sheetal and Payal came up from.
Ayush Kumar
Hailing from Bulandshahr village in Uttar Pradesh, the six-year-old lost his arms in an electrocution accident, in July 2024. His parents contacted Vedwan, and since the last few months, he is training at the Shrine Academy and undergoing recovery. On New Year’s Day, 2026, he shot his first arrow on a 50-metre range after having done 20 metres previously. “It was in the 50-metre range, and it was on the sheet,” noted Vedwan.
“We’re preparing him for the nationals, which will start on January 29th, and he’ll participate in the senior category, in 50 metres. There are no para-archery tournaments for his age category, and we’re preparing him for the senior level,” the coach said, adding that Ayush will also be competing in able-bodied categories in junior sections.
Ayush’s mother is staying with him, and his father makes frequent visits. “They are happy that their son is getting a way back to a better life after that accident,” said Vedwan.
Saurav Pathak
Pathak, 40, is from Delhi. He was also a victim of electrocution, when he was three. He became an employee as a protocol officer with the Delhi Tourism department. After watching Sheetal, he started thinking why not! He tried to contact Vedwan and finally met him at a trial camp in Delhi.
“Rather than surrendering to adversity, I learned to write with my toes and committed my life to sports, art, and community service — proving that ability is defined by determination, not physical limitations,” said Pathak.
“While my dream of serving the nation as an army officer could not be realised, I am honoured to pursue another meaningful opportunity by representing your prestigious organisation in Indian Para Archery, continuing my commitment to serving the nation with pride and dedication,” he acknowledged the academy.
“He took a six-month off from his department, and I wrote to his management stating that he has the potential to be a part of the Para Asian Games contingent later this year,” informed Vedwan. “He joined last week. We’ll launch him at the nationals at the end of this month, where he’ll get the classification done for the Asian Para Games.”
Manoj Yadav
Another warrior aged about 40, Manoj is employed with the Indian Army as a computer operator. He joined the Shrine Academy about 18 months ago, after meeting Vedwan at an Expo in Ghaziabad. “Out of 720, he shoots 710, and will soon be a part of the national team,” said Vedwan.
“He’s also on leave, and is training for the nationals. He will be a medal contender going forward,” he added.
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