India’s Naorem Roshibina Devi secured her second consecutive Asian Games silver medal after losing 0-2 to China’s Zhang Xiaoyu in the women’s 60kg Sanda final at the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Thursday, September 24. Zhang controlled the gold-medal bout from the outset, winning both rounds 5-0 on the judges’ scorecards. Despite falling short of gold, Roshibina completed a historic hat-trick of Asian Games medals, having won bronze at Jakarta 2018 and silver at Hangzhou 2023.
The 25-year-old Manipuri had entered the Games as a late replacement after the original selection was altered following Divyanshi Choudhary’s ACL injury. Roshibina said she had limited time to prepare but credited her coach Amit Pal for supporting her campaign. The Wushu Association of India (WAI) had maintained that the squad change was made on medical grounds.
Zhang Controls Gold Medal Bout
The final at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall saw Zhang establish control with sharp side-kicks and an aggressive approach, preventing Roshibina from settling into her usual rhythm. All five judges awarded the Chinese fighter the first round, and the same pattern continued in the second, giving Zhang a 5-0, 5-0 sweep and a 2-0 victory.
Roshibina acknowledged her opponent’s superiority, saying Zhang was a new opponent for her and that she had been particularly effective with her side-kicks. “I also tried to defend. I tried to throw her, but she did better,” Roshibina said after the bout. Her coach Amit Pal similarly said Zhang’s performance exposed some defensive gaps, while noting that Roshibina had not had enough time to prepare after being recalled to the squad.
The result nevertheless extends Roshibina’s remarkable consistency at the continental level. She began her 2026 campaign with a win over Bangladesh’s Shika Khatun in the pre-quarterfinals and then defeated Macao, China’s Chu Man Sin 5-0 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-final, she beat Indonesia’s Thania Kusumaningtyas 2-0 to book her place in the final and guarantee herself a third successive Asian Games medal. She had also defeated Vietnam’s 2023 world champion Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy en route to the final, underlining the quality of her run before meeting Zhang.
A Medal Amid Turbulence
Roshibina’s journey to the Aichi-Nagoya Games was itself unusual. She lost to Divyanshi Choudhary during the June selection trials in Srinagar, with Choudhary initially earning the Asian Games berth. However, Choudhary was subsequently ruled out after the WAI said an MRI showed a high-grade ACL tear. Roshibina was brought into the squad around September 10, leaving her with only a short period to prepare for the Games. The WAI defended the change, saying it was based on medical grounds, while the Sports Ministry approved Roshibina as the replacement.
The selection change also led to allegations from Choudhary, which Roshibina addressed after winning silver. “What happened was not because of me. It was the federation’s decision,” she said, adding that she wanted to focus on her goal rather than the controversy. She also spoke about the difficulties surrounding her preparation, saying there had been “a lot of disturbance” when she arrived for the Games and that she did not get much time to train. Coach Amit Pal said she had been out of the national camp for around one-and-a-half months before being recalled.
For Roshibina, the silver is also a continuation of a journey rooted in Manipur. The athlete from Bishnupur’s Kwasiphai Mayai Leikai has now won a medal at three successive Asian Games — bronze in 2018, silver in 2023 and silver in 2026 — becoming the first Indian wushu athlete to achieve the feat. Her family made significant sacrifices during her early career, with her farmer father reportedly selling a piece of land to support her training and travel. After the final, Roshibina said she wanted to learn from her mistakes and return stronger, while also expressing a desire to inspire younger athletes.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Roshibina Devi’s silver is a reminder that sporting journeys are rarely defined by a single final or a medal’s colour. Her achievement came after an uncertain selection process, limited preparation and the pressure of competing against one of Asia’s strongest wushu nations. At the same time, the controversy surrounding her selection highlights why transparent processes, respectful communication and proper institutional support matter to every athlete — including those who compete for the same team.
Sport is ultimately about competition, but it can also create space for dignity, resilience and coexistence. Roshibina’s response to the controversy, her recognition of her opponent’s performance and her commitment to returning stronger offer a constructive example of moving forward while leaving room for institutions to address difficult questions fairly. What can sporting bodies and fans do to ensure that athletes receive both the support and fairness they need to thrive?
Also Read: Historic Bronze: Anant Jeet, Parinaaz Win India’s First-Ever Asian Games Mixed Skeet Medal
Congratulations to Naorem Roshibina Devi on winning the Silver Medal in the Women’s Sanda 60kg event. This is a noteworthy achievement…winning medals in 3 consecutive Asian Games. Her consistency, courage and determination are truly commendable.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 24, 2026
Best wishes for all future… pic.twitter.com/07liuWPiEA
