From delivering milk to gold: Jammu wrestler Hamam Hussain’s 14-year struggle pays off at Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

When Hamam Hussain is not training in the akhada, he is out delivering milk door-to-door with his elder brother in Jammu and Kashmir. It is a routine shaped by necessity after their father’s death five years ago, which forced the family to rely on their small dairy livelihood.

Balancing responsibility and ambition, Hussain continued to chase his wrestling dream while helping run the household. That perseverance paid off at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, where the 28-year-old clinched gold in the men’s 79kg freestyle category, defeating Mohit Kumar of Himachal Pradesh. It marked his first gold medal at the national level after 14 years in the sport.

“My elder brother was also a wrestler but had to quit after our father passed away. He took on the responsibility of running the family by selling milk. I helped him, but he always motivated me to continue wrestling,” Hussain said.


The buffaloes left behind by their father became their primary source of income. Between milk deliveries and daily chores, Hussain found time to train, often under challenging conditions.

He practises nearly 20 km away from his village in a mud akhada and travels up to 40 km to Jammu for mat training when possible. With no personal coach, he relies on guidance from senior wrestlers in the village and occasional sessions at training centres.

“In villages, we don’t have the kind of facilities that wrestlers in cities get. If we had better support, athletes from our region could win more medals at national and international levels,” he said.

For Hussain, the gold medal is more than just a sporting achievement. It represents years of struggle, sacrifice and resilience. A father of one, he says the win has given him renewed belief and hope.

“This is the first time such a competition has been organised for us. If more events like this are held, we can perform even better,” he said.

After more than a decade of training without a major title, Hussain’s victory stands as a reminder that determination can overcome even the toughest odds.