Her journey is reminiscent of Italy’s famed para-fencer Beatrice Maria Vio, who overcame the loss of her limbs due to meningitis and went on to win two gold medals in the Paralympics. Payal, too, is determined to prove that the future is hers to claim.

A Life Transformed Through Archery

Payal’s remarkable journey began in an orphanage in Balangir, Odisha, where she was discovered by her coach, Kuldeep Vedwan, who saw potential in her. Coach Kuldeep believes Payal’s talent is extraordinary, and his confidence in her has fueled her rapid rise.

“I first saw Payal drawing pictures with her mouth,” Coach Kuldeep recalls. “She could recreate anyone’s face just by looking at them. One of her drawings went viral, and that’s when I reached out to her.” It was this contact that brought Payal to the Maata Vaishno Devi Shrine Archery Academy in Jammu in 2022, where her transformation into a champion began.

In 2015, Payal’s life changed forever when she came in contact with an 11,000-volt power line at the age of five, resulting in the loss of her hands and feet. Despite the difficulties, she never gave up. Her journey to the academy began in 2019 when she was placed in an orphanage with the help of the District Collector. It was there that she met Coach Kuldeep, who recognized her potential and began guiding her.

A New Beginning in Archery

Though Payal was initially uncertain about archery, seeing other children holding the bow with their hands, her coach assured her that with the right support, she could excel. Kuldeep custom-designed a device to help Payal pull the bowstring, allowing her to practice with one foot. This innovation became the key to her success.

Payal’s debut at the National Para-Archery Championship in 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary. Competing against some of India’s top para-archers, including Paralympic medalist Sheetal Devi, Payal clinched the national title, even defeating Sheetal in the Olympic round to become the champion.

“The first time I held a bow, I wasn’t sure if I could do it,” Payal admits. “But my coach believed in me, and that made all the difference.”

The Road Ahead: Para-Asian Games and Beyond

Now, Payal is setting her sights on the 2026 Tokyo Para Asian Games and the 2028 Paralympics. She is currently preparing for the World Ranking Tournament in Thailand, using the Khelo India Para Games as a stepping stone to greater achievements.

Confidence, she believes, is key to overcoming any obstacle. “When you believe in yourself, everything becomes possible,” says Payal. “Before coming to Jammu, I didn’t even know what archery was. But thanks to my coach and my own determination, I’m here today, talking about my achievements and winning medals.”

Just as Beatrice Maria Vio once quoted Sir Edmund Hillary, “It is not the mountains we conquer, but ourselves,” Payal has already conquered the greatest mountain of all: self-belief. Now, she is ready to introduce her incredible talent to the world and aim for the highest peaks in para-archery.