While she missed the opportunity to secure gold, facing defeat in the final against her Chinese opponent Xiaowei Wu with a score of 2-0, Roshibina has significantly upgraded her achievement from the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games, where she won a bronze medal.
Asian Games Day 5
Expressing her feelings about the silver medal, she said, “I am feeling good about winning the silver medal but I am also a little sad about not being able to bag a gold medal. This Silver medal is dedicated to the people of Manipur. I tried my best in this game. I will rectify the faults I made in this game and play better. I will train harder for the upcoming World Championships in November.”
Her coach, Kuldeep Handoo, remarked on her performance, saying, “Her performance was excellent as last year she had won bronze. However, we were expecting gold, but we lacked a little. We will work on the shortcomings before the World Championship, and she will perform well there too.”
Naorem’s journey to the medal included a first-round bye in the round of 16, followed by a quarterfinal match against Mubashra Akhtar of Pakistan, whom she defeated 2-0, securing her place in the semifinals. Although she narrowly missed out on victory in the semifinals with a score of 1-0 against China’s Cai Yingying, it was an impressive performance.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Roshibina for her remarkable achievement. “Our dedicated and talented Roshibina Devi Naorem has won a Silver Medal in Wushu, Women’s Sanda 60 kg. She has showcased extraordinary talent and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her discipline and determination are also admirable. Congratulations to her,” the Prime Minister praised.
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also extended his congratulations to Roshibina. “Hats-off to Naorem Roshibina Devi for securing a well-deserved in the Women’s Sanda 60kg category in Wushu, passionately upgrading her #AsianGames medal this time. With eyes radiating confidence, Roshibina displayed remarkable skills and indomitable spirit throughout the journey that has left everyone in awe. Etching her name, as she becomes only the second Indian to win a silver in Wushu in the history of the Games! Congratulations, Roshibina! You have made the nation swell with pride! Good Luck for future endeavors,” he celebrated.
Roshibina Devi’s journey to international recognition began at the Junior Worlds in 2016, where she earned a bronze medal. Her accomplishments include a gold at the Moscow Wushu Star Championship 2023, a bronze in the 2018 Asian Games, and a gold in the 2017 Asian Junior Wushu Championships.
(With ANI inputs)
Watch Another Silver for India at the Asian Games: Manipur’s Roshibina Devi wins in women’s 60kg Wushu event