Chhattisgarh, March 31 (NationPress) In the rigorous arena of wrestling, where optimal fitness is essential, competing with an injured shoulder poses a significant challenge. Nevertheless, Jharkhand wrestler Poonam Oraon turned this adversity into a remarkable opportunity. Battling through pain in every match, she clinched the gold medal at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, crafting a compelling narrative of resilience.

During the final of the women's 50kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games, each tackle Poonam executed was accompanied by sharp pain from her injured shoulder. The 19-year-old athlete dislocated her shoulder at just 10 years old, and the discomfort has periodically resurfaced.

The pain intensified right before the final match, necessitating heavy strapping of her left shoulder for participation. Despite the agony, she persevered and triumphed over Telangana’s K Geetha, marking her first gold medal at a national-level competition.

“How could I possibly give up? Nine years ago, I dislocated my shoulder. While it healed at times, the pain lingers. If I didn’t quit after so many years, how could I now?” Poonam shared with SAI Media following her victory.

“Since the start of my journey, I have faced numerous injuries, but I have never surrendered. Winning this gold medal feels like a dream realized. This injury is trivial compared to the torment of not securing a gold for nine years,” she expressed.

Poonam hails from Suiyabar village in Jharkhand’s Chatra district. She dislocated her shoulder shortly after commencing her wrestling career in 2017, which sidelined her for nearly a year. Upon returning, she achieved bronze medals at the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) national championships in 2018 and 2019, yet her aspiration for a gold medal remained elusive.

Poonam indicated that she was not entirely fit even prior to this competition. “My family advised against competing, but my coach and support team had faith in me. With their backing, I was able to fight through and win gold. To earn a medal after six years is incredibly meaningful to me, driven by my unwavering determination,” said the young athlete, who now trains and resides in Ranchi.

As she juggles her studies and wrestling, Poonam is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Ranchi University and aims to represent Jharkhand at the Junior Nationals.

“My next objective is to qualify for the Junior Nationals, and I aspire to maintain this golden momentum in future competitions,” she concluded.