I Want to Dedicate this Medal to Those who are Protecting and Fighting for Us-Silver Medalist Naorem Roshibina

Last Updated on September 28, 2023 by SPN Editor

Hangzhou/ September 28, 2023 (SPN) | In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Naorem Roshibina Devi clinched the silver medal in the women’s 60kg sanda wushu event at the Asian Games 2023 held in Hangzhou, China.

“It’s a challenging time, and I don’t know what the future holds,” said Roshibina, her voice filled with uncertainty. “Everyone is gripped by fear, and I hope things return to normal, even better than before, so we can live in peace. Seeing everything in turmoil and destruction is heart-wrenching.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wiped them away with her gloves.

“I wish I could be there to help,” she continued. “I want to dedicate this medal to those who are tirelessly protecting and fighting for us.”

The journey to winning the silver medal has been an emotional rollercoaster for this Sanda martial artist. Roshibina, hailing from Bishnupur, revealed that her family is fortunately away from the turmoil in Manipur.

“While it hasn’t reached my village, a lot of the conflict is happening in my Churchandpur district,” she shared.

Roshibina’s father managed to visit her once in June at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel in Imphal. Her coaches advised her not to engage in frequent phone calls with her family during the training camp.

“My parents don’t want me to come home. I stay at the hostel in Imphal because they believe it’s safer for me,” she explained.

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This achievement adds another glorious chapter to India’s sporting history. In the final showdown, Naorem Roshibina Devi faced a formidable opponent in China’s Wu Xiaowei, ultimately settling for the second spot on the podium with a 2-0 score in favor of her Chinese rival.

This marks Naorem Roshibina Devi’s second Asian Games medal in consecutive editions, following her bronze win at the 2018 Games in Jakarta. The journey to this prestigious silver began with a thrilling victory over Kazakhstan’s Aiman Karshyga in the quarter-finals, secured by a remarkable point difference.

Naorem Roshibina Devi continued her winning streak in the semi-finals, defeating Vietnam’s Thi Thu Thuy Nguyen with a 2-0 score, earning her well-deserved place in the gold medal match.

It’s worth noting that India has never claimed a gold medal in wushu at the Asian Games.

However, Roshibina Naorem’s exceptional performance has now seen her upgrade her 2018 bronze to a well-deserved silver in the 2023 Asian Games, further solidifying her legacy as a top-tier athlete in the world of wushu.