India’s Roshibina Devi Triumphs as Female Wushu Athlete of the Year
Roshibina Devi Secures Prestigious Title in Wushu Excellence
In a remarkable achievement, Naorem Roshibina Devi from Manipur, India, has been crowned the Female Wushu Athlete of the Year in the Sanda category by the International Wushu Federation (IWUF). The accomplished martial artist, who recently received the Arjuna Award, clinched the coveted title after a month-long public voting process.
Public Mandate for Excellence
Following a rigorous evaluation by the IWUF Athletes Committee, the public voting featured 45 candidates from 23 countries and regions across various categories. In a show of overwhelming support, Roshibina garnered an impressive 93,545 votes, surpassing her competitors – Iran’s Shahrbano Mansouriyan Semiromi with 88,179 votes and China’s Wu Xiaowei with 46,753 votes. Xiaowei, the gold medalist at the previous Asian Games, was overtaken by Roshibina, who secured the silver in the same event.
Roshibina’s Rise to Glory
Born on December 30, 3000, in Kwaksiphai Mayai Leikai, Manipur, Roshibina hails from the Meitei community and exhibited an early passion for sports. In an interview with Indian Express in September 2023, she expressed her admiration for wushu, stating, “I fell in love with wushu when I saw it for the first time during a district competition.” Her journey in wushu commenced, marking the beginning of a stellar career.
Consistent Success on the Global Stage
Roshibina’s accolades include a bronze medal in the 60kg Women’s Sanda category at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and a gold medal in the 9th Asian Junior Wushu Championships in Gumi, South Korea, in 2017. Her recent triumph at the Hangzhou Asian Games, coupled with a consistent winning streak, led to her well-deserved recognition as the best female Wushu player of the year.
Nation Celebrates Roshibina’s Victory
The announcement of Roshibina’s title as Female Wushu Athlete of the Year resonated with pride across India. Winning not just the hearts of her nation but also an international accolade, Roshibina Devi stands as a testament to dedication, skill, and the vibrant sports culture in Manipur.
Naorem Roshibina Devi’s journey from Manipur to becoming the Female Wushu Athlete of the Year reflects her exceptional talent, determination, and the unwavering support she enjoys from the Indian sporting community.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The shethepeople
