Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei of Manipur has scripted an extraordinary tale of resilience and determination by winning the state’s first-ever gold medal in Pencak Silat at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026. His triumph comes despite severe financial hardships and a career-threatening injury.
The 19-year-old athlete’s journey has been defined by struggle and uncertainty. Financial constraints forced him to balance training with earning a livelihood, while a serious injury during practice almost ended his sporting career. Unable to pay his fifth-semester fees for a Bachelor of Physical Education course, Sudhir had to drop out of college—a setback that weighed heavily on his dreams.
After the injury, Sudhir made the tough decision to move from the Tanding (combat) category to the Artistic category in order to continue competing. That pivot proved transformative. Partnering with Premchandra Yengkhom, he clinched gold in the Ganda event at the Khelo India Beach Games in Diu, marking a historic achievement for Manipur.
The eldest of three brothers, Sudhir comes from a modest background. His father runs a small livestock business, while Sudhir supplements the family income by working as a daily-wage welder and assisting in selling pigs. “The income is barely enough for household needs, but I contribute whatever I can,” he said.
Sudhir also carries the responsibility of supporting his younger brothers, both of whom are in school and train at the same sports academy. Financial pressures forced him to discontinue his education so that his family and siblings’ sporting aspirations could continue.
A trainee at the renowned Nawang Sports Academy in Imphal, Sudhir took up Pencak Silat in 2018, inspired by senior athletes. He quickly rose through the ranks, winning gold at junior national championships in the 45–50kg and later the 50–55kg Tanding categories. He went on to win a silver medal at the 2022 Northeast Games before a training accident disrupted his momentum.
A lack of proper mat flooring at his academy led to a serious foot injury, forcing him to reconsider his future in the sport. He then shifted focus to Artistic and Performance events, training quietly for two years with a determination to return stronger.
His efforts paid off with a gold medal in Ganda at the All India National Championships in Lucknow. He later finished fourth at the Asian Pencak Silat Championship in Vietnam, narrowly missing a podium finish in his first major international outing.
At the Khelo India Beach Games, Sudhir rose to the challenge, mastering the difficult task of performing on sand—a surface unfamiliar to most athletes. He described the final as mentally grueling, with thoughts of promises made to his parents weighing heavily on him, but victory made the struggle unforgettable.
Calling the event the toughest test of his career so far, Sudhir said competing at the Khelo India platform was special, and returning home with a gold medal made the achievement even more meaningful.
