Asian Games 2023: Roshibina Devi Bags Silver in Women’s 60kg Wushu, Dedicates Medal to Manipur

Hangzhou: India’s Naorem Roshibina Devi clinched the silver medal in the women’s 60kg sanda event of Wushu, marking a significant victory amid the ongoing violence in her native Manipur. The conflict, which has been raging since May, has claimed numerous lives and left many injured. Hailing from the Meitei community in Kwashiphai village, Bishnupur district, Roshibina dedicated her achievement to those affected by the turmoil.

In a hard-fought final, Roshibina faced local heavyweight Wu Xiaowei and ultimately fell short with a 0-2 loss in two rounds. Despite the challenging circumstances, she expressed her heartfelt dedication to her fellow Manipuris enduring the crisis.

Roshibina’s remarkable journey to the silver medal included a standout performance in the semi-finals, where she defeated world championship silver and bronze medallist Thi Thu Thuy Nguyen of Vietnam. Her parents encouraged her to focus on the competition and not be distracted by the ongoing violence back home.

Competing in the women’s 60kg category, Roshibina faced an ultra-aggressive Wu Xiaowei, the reigning champion. The Chinese athlete secured a strong start and won the judges’ favour after two rounds, securing the gold medal.

Roshibina Devi, who hails from a humble background, first gained recognition with a bronze medal at the Junior Worlds in 2016. Her journey to the silver medal in wushu at the Asian Games was a testament to her dedication and hard work.