Meet Sportspersons Who Broke Barriers At Khelo India Youth Games

At the recent Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2023, women sportspersons proved once again that they are unstoppable. Despite societal barriers and personal challenges, these women emerged victorious, bringing glory to their families and the community. At the KIYG, women from different backgrounds outshone all the challenges that came their way in male-dominated sports. Their stories and growth are a catalyst to their victory and serve as an inspiration to everyone facing obstructions.

The Khelo India Youth Games took place from January 19 to 31 in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore. Here is a list of some of the women whose hard work despite challenges proved fruitful at the championships.

Assam's Panchami Sonowal Clinches Silver In Weight Lifting (49 KG Category)

Panchami Sonowal pushed through health struggles to clinch a silver medal in the women’s 49 kg weightlifting event in Chennai. The 18-year-old had suffered a fall resulting in a leg injury, which meant she unfortunately could not even collect her medal on her own. 

"I wanted to go for the national record in both categories but eventually it was not my day. I also could not attend the medal ceremony but was glad to get another KIYG medal. It (the fall) was painful and I could barely walk" the second-time KIYG winner said.

Back home in the Dhemaji district of Assam, Sonowal's parents Luhit and Budheswari beamed with pride as they heard the news of her win. Luhit and Budheshwari run a humble tea stall in their village Jiadhal Chariali village and have a son, Santosh, who works as an auto driver. 

Tannu Gulia Wins Bronze In 65 KG Category Wrestling

Tannu Gulia from Haryana won the bronze medal in the 65 kg weightlifting category in Chennai. Inspired by Sakshi Malik's Rio Olympics win in 2016, Gulia embarked on a journey to make the nation proud. "In the next Khelo India Youth Games, you will see me take the gold. I will leave no stone unturned and work hard from here on. The opportunity and medal at KIYG have pumped me up enough. I know I deserve bigger and better," an elated Gulia told the media as she flaunted the medal.

Gulia is the daughter of a school bus driver, Jagdish,  who pushed her to pick up the sport from a young age. Usually, Gulia is accompanied by Jagdish but he could not make it this time due to work. Speaking about her family's constant encouragement, Gulia said, "He feeds me everything to keep me strong. My uncle has even bought a buffalo so that there is no shortage of milk and ghee."

Grishma Thorat Takes Home Silver In 76kg Category Weightlifting

Maharashtra's Grishma Thorat achieved a silver medal in the women's 76 kg category. The Thane-based Class 10 student was persistent in her efforts despite enduring tremendous grief. Thorat lost her father, a factory worker and the family's sole earner, to COVID-19 in 2022. This left her mother to take up work at an Anganwadi and single-handedly raise Thorat.

The loss came soon after she returned home from a tournament in Bhubaneshwar where she finished in sixth place. "The last two years) have been the toughest phase of my career so far. Every time, I go for training or start doing anything the memories of my father keep flashing in front of me. I was mentally shattered, deep inside there's a void that's hard to fill. I couldn't focus on anything. My coach Madhuri Sinhasane has been instrumental in helping me come out of the distressed phase, and I'm grateful to her for being with me throughout this challenging period" Thorat told the media.