Meet Kuldeep Vedwan, the para archery coach who is training India’s star Paralympic archers

Para archery in India has a story of passion, determination and transformation – a story that begins not in grand stadiums or glimmering arenas, but in small villages, quiet streets and the hearts of those who dared to dream. At the centre of this revolution stands Kuldeep Vedwan, a coach, innovator and pioneer, later joined by Abhilasha Chaudhary, who together have shaped a generation of para archers now bringing India onto the world stage.

When we celebrate the medals of Sheetal Devi, Rakesh Kumar or Harvinder Singh, we often forget the backstage heroes – those who have dedicated their lives to the sport not to stand on the podium, but to create those who will. When Sheetal Devi hits an inner 10, or Harvinder wins India’s first-ever Paralympic archery gold medal, we perhaps overlook the architects of these champions.

Such is the story of Kuldeep Vedwan. While serving in the Indian Army, Vedwan – an archer himself in his playing days – founded the Vedwan Archery Academy in 2009. In his village, Dhanora Tikri in Uttar Pradesh, the journey of India’s para archery revolution began.

The academy started modestly, with a vision larger than life. Vedwan’s ambition was not simply to train athletes but to give opportunities to those who had none. His first breakthrough came with Jyoti Baliyan, the first female archer to join the academy in its inaugural year. “We will talk about Jyoti’s journey from 2009 to today,” Vedwan says, emphasising the transformative impact of nurturing young talent. Jyoti became a symbol of possibility – proof that para athletes, often overlooked, could rise to compete at the highest levels.

Even before establishing the academy, Vedwan’s work in para archery was rooted in the Indian Army Sports Institute in Pune. It was here that he first encountered Amol Boriwale, a young boy who would go on to compete at the Para Asian Games in 2010. “I was the one who introduced him to para archery,” he notes. Through such early experiences, Vedwan honed not only his technical skills but also his talent for identifying potential where others might see limitations.

“I have been working in para archery since 2008,” he adds. “She is the first female para archer in the country, and the achievement felt like my own.” His words reflect the dual role he played – both participant through his student Jyoti and architect, someone who not only trained others but helped shape the very framework of the sport.

When asked how he began this journey, Vedwan’s answer is deeply personal. “First of all, thank you for joining us. It’s really a pleasure to be talking with you. We are discussing para archery today and it shows that the sport has moved forward.”

He credits his motivation to his roots and the inspiration of Olympic success. “I was in my own village,” he explains. “One day, I thought, why not work for children in para sport? When the Beijing Olympics were held in 2008, and Abhinav Bindra gave India its first individual gold medal, it inspired me to establish the Vedwan Archery Academy. Right after that, the Paralympics were held, and I thought, ‘Why not prepare archers for para events?’”

This mindset was revolutionary at a time when Paralympic sport was often sidelined. Vedwan’s approach was holistic – identifying talent, building custom equipment and motivating athletes to aim for the highest stage.

After training Jyoti in Uttar Pradesh, Vedwan moved to Puducherry, where he started para archery with a young girl named Vembu. Each new location represented a fresh challenge—different cultures, infrastructure gaps and athletes with varied physical limitations.

The real turning point came in 2017 when Vedwan joined the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Archery Academy in Jammu and Kashmir. There, he partnered with Abhilasha Chaudhary in a shared mission to find and nurture rural talent. “First of all, it was a great initiative,” Chaudhary recalls. “A religious institution coming forward and developing sport – it was unprecedented.”

The region had historically been associated with fear and instability, yet Vedwan and Chaudhary saw untapped potential. Today, the academy has become a hub for sporting excellence, putting Jammu and Kashmir on the global map for para archery.

Talent scouting became a central pillar of Vedwan’s work. Rakesh Kumar, for instance, was discovered in his village. One day, while walking through the streets in Jammu, Vedwan spotted Rakesh sitting on a chair just outside his home. “When I put my hand on his shoulder, I knew he was powerful,” Vedwan remembers. “He had grown up using a heavy hammer in his father’s blacksmith work – his strength was natural. I stayed with him for half an hour and told him that within seven years he could be an Arjuna Awardee and a Paralympic medallist. And today, he is.”

Rakesh’s story is emblematic of Vedwan’s methodology. It was not just about spotting talent—it was about nurturing it over years.

Sheetal Devi’s story is equally remarkable. Born without arms, she lived in a remote village with no network coverage, phone or access to resources. Through a combination of army support and Zoom meetings, Vedwan connected with her and invented a prosthetic device allowing her to draw a bow using her legs. “She was so happy,” Vedwan says. “It was as if she and Rakesh were already on the Paralympic podium, even though this was just the beginning.”

“I asked her simple questions. She had never shot an arrow in her life. I told her, ‘You are not Arjun yet. I will train you.’ Within months, with a specially designed device, she was practising archery and winning medals.”

Payal Nag, another groundbreaking athlete, was born without both hands and legs and lived in an orphanage in Odisha. The world’s first quadruple amputee archer, Payal required specialised equipment, which Vedwan created to enable her participation in archery. Within two years, she was achieving near-perfect scores in national competitions.

These stories reflect the creativity and dedication that underpin Indian para archery. Vedwan not only identifies talent but also constantly innovates to adapt equipment and training methods to individual needs.

Chaudhary emphasises the importance of blending para and ablebodied archery to inspire motivation. “It gives another level of motivation when para archers practise alongside able-bodied archers,” she says. Athletes like Sheetal, Payal and Rakesh not only challenge themselves but also elevate their peers, creating a competitive and collaborative ecosystem.

Vedwan reflects on the broader social impact of this work. “Working with these people feels like we are giving something back to society,” he notes. “It’s about social and life transformation – giving opportunities to those who would otherwise never have them.”

Indian para archery’s success is deeply rooted in innovation tailored to individual needs. Vedwan’s approach combines traditional coaching with custom-designed devices that enable athletes to overcome their physical limitations.

“We adapted equipment according to each archer’s strength, draw length and body type. Within a month of practice, they were competing and winning in national tournaments.”

This level of innovation sets Indian para archery apart globally. While other countries might rely on standard equipment, Vedwan and his team create bespoke solutions, enabling athletes to perform at their peak.

Abhilasha Chaudhary highlights another dimension: training para and able-bodied archers together. “It gives another level of motivation when para archers practise alongside able-bodied athletes,” she says. This integration not only inspires para athletes to push their limits but also fosters a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.

Excerpted with permission from India’s Paralympic Revolution: Empathy, Respect and Inclusion, Boria Majumdar with Trisha Ghosal and Rohan Chowdhury, Simon and Schuster India.