Sheetal Devi Shows Class, Helps Payal Nag On Podium; Video Goes Viral

Last Updated:April 07, 2026, 09:23 IST

Sheetal Devi helps gold medallist Payal Nag turn to the flag at World Archery Para Series, a moving viral moment of grace.

Paris Paralympics bronze medallist archer Sheetal Devi was graceful in defeat, as she was seen helping compatriot Payal Nag to face the correct side on the podium, a video of which has gone viral on social media.

Payal stunned Sheetal 139-136 in the compound women’s final, before teaming up with her to clinch gold as well, as India topped the medal standings with 16 medals (seven gold, five silver, four bronze).

The moment that will endure in the annals of Indian sport wasn’t the result, but the image of the two young archers standing side by side on the podium at the World Archery Para Series.

There stood Payal Nag, the 18-year-old prodigy from Odisha, with the gold medal around her neck. Beside her was the world’s most celebrated para-archer, Sheetal Devi.

Payal Nag, a quadruple amputee who navigates life in a wheelchair, was unable to turn towards the tricolour for the national anthem. Before officials could step in, Sheetal Devi, who had just seen her international title slip away, leaned down.

Using her legs with the same poise with which she draws a bow, Sheetal hooked the footrest of Payal’s wheelchair and pivoted it, permitting the teenager to face the flag.

Watch the video here:

Then, a Class III student, Payal Nag, was playing with her younger brother on the fifth-floor terrace of an under-construction building in Raipur, where her father worked as a mason after migrating from Odisha in search of a livelihood.

There was water on the terrace and a live wire had come into contact with it. In a split second, everything changed. The electric shock left Payal Nag injured and doctors had no option but to amputate all four limbs to save her life.

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