Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Two Athletes Overcome Hardships to Win Gold
Two young men from different parts of India, Raja Das and Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei, have won gold medals in a big sports event called the Khelo India Beach Games.
Raja is 33 years old and sells things on the street to help his family.
He also practices a martial art called Pencak Silat and has won many medals.
This time, he beat a strong player to win gold.
Sudhir is 19 years old and comes from Manipur.
He helps his father sell pigs and works as a welder.
He also practices Pencak Silat and had to stop his studies because his family couldn't afford it.
He hurt his foot during training but didn't give up.
He and his partner won gold in a special team event.
Both Raja and Sudhir had to work hard and face many challenges, but they never gave up on their dreams.
Raja Das, a 33-year-old street hawker from Kolkata, won a gold medal in Pencak Silat at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026.
He defeated defending champion Prasanna Bendre to claim the gold medal.
Raja has faced financial struggles and personal tragedies but continues to pursue his passion for Pencak Silat.
Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei, a 19-year-old from Manipur, won gold in the Ganda event with partner Premchandra Yengkhom.
Sudhir had to drop out of his physical education course due to financial constraints and a training injury.
- Who
- Raja Das and Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei, Pencak Silat athletes from West Bengal and Manipur respectively
- What
- Won gold medals at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026
- When
- On Tuesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Ghoghla Beach, Diu
- Why
- Raja Das defeated defending champion Prasanna Bendre in the Pencak Silat event; Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei and Premchandra Yengkhom won in the Ganda event
- Name
- Raja Das
- Age
- 33
- Occupation
- Street hawker and Pencak Silat athlete
- Event
- Khelo India Beach Games 2026
- Sport
- Pencak Silat
- Medal
- Gold
- Defeated
- Prasanna Bendre
- Location
- Ghoghla Beach, Diu
- Name
- Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei
- Age
- 19
- Occupation
- Welder and Pencak Silat athlete
- Event
- Khelo India Beach Games 2026
- Sport
- Pencak Silat (Ganda)
- Medal
- Gold
- Partner
- Premchandra Yengkhom
- Location
- Ghoghla Beach, Diu
Sources
North Kolkata streets to KIBG 2026 podium: Street hawker Raja Das defies odds to clinch Pencak Silat gold
Broken Toes And Empty Pockets Couldn't Stop Him: Sudhir Meetei Wins Manipur’s First Beach Gold At KIBG 2026
Selling pigs, welding for wages: Manipur Pencak Silat athlete Sudhir Meetei shines with KIBG gold
