Who is Roshibina Devi: How Manipur's Asian Games silver medallist fought last minute Injury replacement, mental harassment to win a medal

Roshibina Devi, an Indian wushu star, bagged the silver medal in the 60 kg sanda event category in Asian Games on Thursday. Roshibina Devi lost to China’s Zhang Xiaoyu 2-0. She is also the first Indian, a wushu athlete to win back to back three consecutive medals in the Asian Games edition.

Who is Roshibina Devi?

Roshibina Devi was born on December 3, 2000. She is from Kwasiphai Mayai Leikai in Manipur’s Bishnupur district and competes in sanda, a wushu combat discipline that combines striking and throwing techniques.

Roshibina Devi’s Family

Devi’s father, Naorem Damu, works as a farmer, while her mother, Naorem Romila, helps with agricultural activities. She has two siblings, an elder sister and a younger brother. Devi started her wushu journey in 2012 after enrolling at a Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre.

Roshibina Devi Asian Games Journey

Devi made her Asian Games debut at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang edition, competing in the women’s 60kg sanda category. She defeated Pakistan’s Mubashra Akhtar in the quarterfinal to assure herself of a medal, but lost to China’s Cai Yingying in the semifinals, finishing with bronze.

At the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, Devi went a step further by reaching the women’s 60kg sanda final. She secured the silver medal after being defeated by China’s Wu Xiaowei in the title bout.

Divyanshi Initially Named In India’s Wushu Squad

Divyanshi Choudhary was initially included in India’s seven-member wushu squad announced by the Sports Ministry on August 22. She was selected to compete in the women’s 60kg Sanda category. She was later replaced by Roshibina after the Wushu Association of India (WAI) reported that Divyanshi had suffered an injury.

WAI Cites ACL Injury As Reason For Replacement

According to the WAI, an MRI scan found that Divyanshi had sustained a partial high-grade ACL tear. Based on medical advice, she was asked to stay away from competitive events and full training until she recovered.

The federation said Divyanshi suffered the injury while competing at the 2026 SCO Wushu Sanda Championship in Hubei, China, in June. She returned to the national camp at NIS Patiala on August 10 after spending around a month at home.

Divyanshi reportedly experienced pain during training after returning to the camp. As her condition worsened, she underwent an MRI at Manipal Hospital in Patiala on August 23.

Medical Review Recommended Rest And Surgery

The WAI said the MRI findings were subsequently reviewed by medical personnel from the Sports Authority of India and an orthopaedic doctor. They advised Divyanshi to avoid competitive activity and full training until she recovered.

According to the federation, surgery was also recommended as part of her treatment.

Divyanshi Alleges Mental Harassment

In a video, Divyanshi alleged that she had faced prolonged mental harassment and claimed that Roshibina wanted to compete at the Asian Games in her place.

"I am really fed up. I have been harassed so much mentally from June, July to now, it's September, I am being harassed, because she (Roshibina) wanted to go (to the Asian Games)," Divyanshi said in the video.

The WAI rejected the allegation that Divyanshi was removed to make way for Roshibina. The federation maintained that the replacement was made solely because of Divyanshi’s medical condition.

Divyanshi Accepts Decision, Plans Asian Games Return

Divyanshi later said she understood the federation’s decision and acknowledged that her health needed to take priority. She also expressed her intention to return stronger and target the 2030 Asian Games.

However, she continued to allege that Roshibina had harassed her and her family. These allegations have not been independently established.

Sports Ministry Approves Roshibina’s Replacement

The Sports Ministry subsequently approved Roshibina’s inclusion in the squad as Divyanshi’s replacement under the injury-replacement process.