Indian Wushu star Naorem Roshibina Devi delivered a remarkable performance at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, securing a silver medal in the women's Sanda 60kg event. Competing in a high-stakes final bout against China's Zhang Xiaoyu, the 25-year-old athlete displayed tactical resilience and power across two intense rounds before bowing out with a 0-2 scoreline. Roshibina's podium finish marks her second consecutive silver medal at the Asian Games following her stellar campaign at Hangzhou, confirming her status as one of Asia's premier martial artists in the combat discipline. En route to the final, the Manipuri athlete dominated her opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals, executing clean throws and effective strikes that drew high praise from international commentators. Sports administrators, federal ministers, and martial arts federations issued commendations celebrating Roshibina's achievement, noting that her back-to-back medals reflect the growing strength and institutional support for Wushu across national sports academies.

Historic Asiad Hat-Trick for Indian Wushu Pioneer

Indian sanda specialist Naorem Roshibina Devi delivered a historic performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, clinching the silver medal in the women's 60kg wushu category. In a hard-fought final at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall, the 25-year-old lost 0-2 to China's Zhang Xiaoyu. Having previously captured bronze at Jakarta 2018 and silver at Hangzhou 2023, Roshibina became the first Indian athlete across both sanda and taolu disciplines to win three consecutive Asian Games medals.

Overview: Naorem Roshibina Devi's Asian Games 2026 Campaign & Career Record

Parameter / Match StageOpponent & ResultKey Campaign Highlights
Weight Category / StyleWomen's 60kg Sanda (Full-contact combat)Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall, Japan
Round of 16Defeated Shika Khatun (Bangladesh)Victory by points difference
Quarter-FinalsDefeated Chu Man Sin (Macao China)5-0 decision; assured medal finish
Semi-FinalsDefeated Thania Kusumaningtyas (Indonesia)2-0 unanimous victory
Gold Medal FinalLost to Zhang Xiaoyu (China)0-2 (Judges scored 5-0 both rounds for CHN)
Asiad Career Record3 Medals: 2018 (Bronze), 2023 (Silver), 2026 (Silver)First Indian wushu 3-time medallist

Resilient Campaign Overcomes Late Inclusion and Limited Preparation

Roshibina's journey to the Nagoya podium was defined by remarkable resilience. She was added to the national squad on September 10 as a late injury replacement for original selectee Divyanshi Choudhary. Arriving straight from Manipur with less than two weeks of active camp training, she produced a brilliant run through the tournament. Her campaign included victories over Bangladesh's Shika Khatun and Macao's Chu Man Sin, followed by a clinical 2-0 semi-final win against Indonesia's Thania Kusumaningtyas.

In the final, China's Zhang Xiaoyu utilized technical side-kicks and distance control to sweep both two-minute rounds 5-0 on all five judges' scorecards. Despite the defeat, Roshibina's silver provided India with its sole wushu medal of the 2026 Games.

Praise for Manipur's Sporting Icon

Roshibina's feat drew widespread praise from national sports federations and political leaders. Manipur Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh lauded her as a "proud symbol of Manipur's sporting spirit" and an inspiration for the nation's youth.

Addressing reporters after the medal ceremony, Roshibina expressed her determination to keep working toward the top of the podium: "I tried my best to give India a gold, but my opponent performed better today. Winning three Asian Games medals is an honor, and I will continue working hard to bring gold to my country in future international competitions."