The scars they carry are visible, but defeat is not written anywhere in their story.
At the Archery Range inside the Deputy Inspector General of Police Central Reserve Police Force Hakimpet Group Centre Rangareddy. arrows cut through the silence with remarkable precision. Every release echoes a journey of sacrifice rather than sport. These are not ordinary athletes chasing medals. They are soldiers who have already fought one battle for the nation and are now preparing for another—this time with a bow in their hands and the Paralympic podium in their sights.
Each athlete has a story that would shake even the strongest hearts. Fate altered their lives in an instant, but none of them surrendered to self-pity. Instead, they chose purpose over pain, transforming personal tragedy into relentless determination. Their families became their greatest source of strength, encouraging them to move forward when life seemed to have come to a standstill.
Among them is Subedar Major Kailash, whose military career changed forever after suffering a serious back injury during service. A wheelchair has become part of his daily life, but it has never defined him. Every time he draws his bow, his focus is absolute. The target, standing 70 metres away, is all that exists. His consistency has now earned him a place at the National Archery Academy, where he is preparing with dreams of representing India at the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympics.
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Another inspiring figure is Amit Kirtania, whose life changed after a Maoist landmine explosion in Chhattisgarh claimed both of his legs. What could have ended an athlete’s ambitions instead ignited a new one. Today, every arrow he releases carries the resilience of a soldier unwilling to let adversity dictate his future. Like Kailash, Amit is also sharpening his skills at the National Archery Academy with international competition firmly in his sights.
The list of extraordinary stories does not end there. Constable Indrajit Pandey lost a leg in a Chhattisgarh blast, while Constable Sunil Kumar suffered a similar fate after coming under Maoist firing. Constable Vijayan and Constable Meena also survived devastating explosions that cost them their limbs. Yet none of them allowed those injuries to become the final chapter of their lives. Instead, they chose archery—a sport that demands immense concentration, patience and unwavering belief—to redefine themselves.
Training under renowned coach Pankaj Singh, a group of 12 para soldiers now spends countless hours perfecting every movement. Their philosophy is simple yet powerful: disability may affect the body, but it can never limit the mind. Every session is driven by one ambition—to make India proud on the biggest para-sporting stages in the world.
Archery offers no shortcuts. It demands complete control over body and mind while accounting for distance, rhythm and changing wind conditions. These athletes understand that excuses have no place in elite sport. They refuse to blame external conditions for failure, insisting that every challenge can be overcome through preparation and mental strength. Victory and defeat, they believe, are both part of competition, but commitment must never waver.
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Their confidence is perhaps their greatest weapon. Long before an arrow reaches the target, it must first be guided by belief. That unwavering self-belief, forged on battlefields and strengthened through rehabilitation, now separates these warriors from ordinary competitors.
The transformation of India’s sporting ecosystem has also played a crucial role in their journey. Improved infrastructure, scientific coaching and specialised facilities have opened new opportunities for para-athletes across the country. Government initiatives have expanded talent identification programmes to the grassroots level while significantly improving support systems for athletes with disabilities. Those efforts have enabled these soldiers to dream beyond recovery and focus entirely on excellence.
As preparations intensify for future international competitions, these remarkable athletes are chasing far more than medals. Every arrow they release is a reminder that courage cannot be measured by physical ability. It is measured by the willingness to stand up again after life knocks you down.
For these soldiers, the battlefield has changed—but the mission remains exactly the same. They continue to fight for India, only now their victories will be celebrated not with gunfire, but with the sound of an arrow striking the bullseye.
Sports19 salutes these extraordinary warriors and wishes them every success as they carry India’s hopes towards future Commonwealth, World Championship and Paralympic glory.
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