CM Bhajan Lal Hails Roshibina Devi's Asian Games Silver
Synopsis
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated Manipur's Naorem Roshibina Devi on winning Wushu silver at Asian Games 2026, hailing her as India's first Wushu athlete to podium-finish at three straight Asian Games and calling her an inspiration for young Indian sportspersons.
Key Takeaways
Naorem Roshibina Devi won a silver medal in Wushu at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
She is described as the first Indian Wushu athlete to win medals at three consecutive Asian Games .
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated her publicly on 24 September 2026 via X.
Roshibina hails from Manipur , a state that has long been a major contributor to India's Wushu talent pipeline.
Sharma called her achievement an inspiration for 'every young athlete in the country'.
Three Asian Games, three medals — Naorem Roshibina Devi has written her name into Indian sports history, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was among the first leaders to mark the moment. On Thursday, 24 September 2026, Sharma took to X to congratulate the Manipur-born Wushu fighter on her silver medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, calling her feat a 'historic milestone' for the country.
India's first Wushu athlete to medal at three consecutive Asian Games
In his post — written in Hindi — CM Sharma described Roshibina as 'the first Indian Wushu athlete to win medals at three consecutive Asian Games', a distinction that sets her apart in a discipline that rarely draws mainstream attention but demands extraordinary endurance, technique, and competitive longevity. 'आपका यह अदम्य साहस, वर्षों का कड़ा परिश्रम और असाधारण निरंतरता' ('Your indomitable courage, years of hard work, and exceptional consistency') — the Chief Minister's words capture what three cycles of an elite multi-sport event really mean: no flash in the pan, but a sustained, decade-spanning commitment to excellence.
Wushu and the Northeast: a medal pipeline India quietly relies on
Manipur has long been India's most productive state for combat-sport Wushu, producing multiple national champions and international medallists from a relatively small talent pool. Roshibina is arguably that pipeline's most decorated product. India has competed in Wushu at the Asian Games since the sport entered the programme, and athletes from the Northeast — operating with far less media oxygen than their counterparts in cricket, badminton, or athletics — have consistently kept India on the scoreboard. Her silver at Asian Games 2026 continues that quiet, determined tradition.
Why a Rajasthan CM's congratulations carry a broader signal
Sharma's public tribute reflects a well-established pattern among Indian state leaders: using high-profile platforms to shine a national spotlight on athletes from disciplines and regions that don't always get it. For a young Wushu fighter in Manipur watching her phone, a congratulatory post from a Chief Minister — any Chief Minister — is institutional validation. Sharma closed his message with a prayer for Roshibina's 'bright future and continued victories in forthcoming competitions', underscoring that the recognition is meant as fuel, not just applause.
Three podiums, three Games, one athlete refusing to step off the mat. India's young combat-sport hopefuls now have a precise, measurable benchmark to chase.
Point of View
Cross-cycle excellence that India's sports ecosystem struggles to produce outside cricket and a handful of Olympic disciplines — making the milestone more significant than routine ceremony. CM Sharma's public tribute is part of a broader BJP-era effort to associate the party with grassroots athletic achievement, particularly from the Northeast, a region the party has invested in politically. The fact that a Wushu athlete — not a cricketer or a badminton star — is receiving prime-time political attention reflects India's slowly widening sports recognition horizon. Whether the congratulations translate into structural support for Wushu — training infrastructure, selection pathways, prize money — remains the real test of that intent.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Naorem Roshibina Devi?
Naorem Roshibina Devi is an Indian Wushu athlete from Manipur who has represented India at multiple Asian Games. She is recognised as the first Indian Wushu athlete to win medals at three consecutive Asian Games, achieving the latest silver at Asian Games 2026.
What did Roshibina Devi win at Asian Games 2026?
Roshibina Devi won a silver medal in the Wushu competition at the Asian Games 2026, held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Why is Roshibina Devi's achievement considered historic?
She is the first Indian Wushu athlete to win medals at three consecutive Asian Games, a feat of exceptional consistency in a demanding combat sport.
Why did Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulate a Manipur athlete?
Indian state leaders frequently use public platforms to congratulate athletes from any part of the country achieving international success. CM Sharma called Roshibina an inspiration for all young Indian athletes, signalling national pride beyond regional boundaries.
Where are the Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
