Raipur
In a touching display of grit, 19-year-old Monikha Sonowal clinched the first weightlifting gold at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games. Representing the Kachari Tribe of Assam, Monikha dominated the women’s 48kg category. Her victory is a triumph of spirit over struggle, as she battled a painful right knee injury that had plagued her for months to reach the podium.
The daughter of a hardworking mason from a remote village in Dhemaji, Monikha grew up with very few resources. Inspired by Olympic star Mirabai Chanu, she turned the clanging of barbells into a path toward a better life. Despite her coaches advising her to rest and skip the competition to avoid further injury, the young athlete refused to stay away. She pushed through the physical pain, determined to prove her strength on the national stage.
A turning point in her career was joining the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Itanagar. The center provided the professional training and nutrition she previously could only dream of. Monikha has already built an impressive resume, including a 2023 School National gold and a 2024 silver in the ASMITA League.
After her win, she tried calling her father, who was likely busy at a construction site. “This gold is just the beginning,” said the college student, who now dreams of representing India globally. Her story from a quiet village to national glory proves that passion knows no barriers.