Diu, Jan 8 (NationPress) Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei, a promising athlete from Manipur, has journeyed through an unpredictable path in Pencak Silat. Financial hardships compelled him to focus on earning a living, and an unexpected injury during training nearly derailed his dreams of athletic success.

Sudhir faced such overwhelming obstacles that he had to withdraw from college after he couldn't pay his fifth-semester fees for his Bachelor of Physical Education. He transitioned from the Tanding (combat) category to the Artistic category in order to continue participating in the sport despite his injury.

Nevertheless, this 19-year-old has not only surmounted these challenges but has also established himself as a formidable competitor. Together with Premchandra Yengkhom, he achieved the state's inaugural gold medal at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 held in Ganda.

“We are a family of five, and I’m the eldest of three brothers. My father operates a small livestock business, and I support him by selling pigs after completing my work as a welder, earning Rs 500 daily. Unfortunately, the business isn’t enough to meet our family’s financial needs, so I strive to contribute as much as possible,” he explained.

“I aspire for my younger brothers to excel in sports; they are currently in school and also train at the same academy. Therefore, when I reached the fifth semester, I had to drop out due to our financial difficulties,” Sudhir remarked, highlighting his roots in the esteemed Nawang Sports Academy in Imphal, which has produced India’s only international gold medallists in Ganda, Bishan and Johnson.

Motivated by his seniors at the academy, Sudhir took up Pencak Silat in 2018 and quickly began to excel. He made a remarkable entry on the national stage by clinching gold at the junior nationals in the 45–50kg Tanding category, followed by another gold in the 50–55kg division in 2021. His ascent continued with a silver medal at the 2022 Northeast Games, but he soon encountered a significant setback.

A severe training accident nearly ended his athletic career. Lacking proper mat flooring at the academy, Sudhir’s left foot became ensnared in a hole, injuring his toe severely. This incident prompted him to reconsider his sporting path, leading to his switch from Tanding to Artistic and Performance. Over the next two years, Sudhir trained diligently at the academy, committed to returning stronger.

His persistence bore fruit when he claimed the Ganda gold medal at the All India National Championships in Lucknow. He narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth at the Asian Pencak Silat Championship in Vietnam, marking his debut in significant international competition.

Sudhir made an impressive entrance at the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu, helping Manipur secure its first gold medal in the 2026 edition.

“This was my inaugural Khelo India Beach Games, and before arriving, I promised my parents that I would return with a gold. During the final, I experienced moments of anxiety as my conversations with them replayed in my mind. However, I’m thrilled to have won the gold,” expressed the young athlete from Manipur.

Sudhir described his experience in Diu as the greatest challenge of his career thus far. “We aren’t used to performing on the sand, which posed a challenge, but it was a new experience that I thoroughly enjoyed. I have always heard about the Khelo India platform, but experiencing it firsthand was extraordinary, and coming back with a gold medal made it all the more memorable,” he concluded.