Three consecutive Asian Games appearances, three consecutive medals. Roshibina Devi Naorem became the first Wushu player from India to win a hat-trick of Asiad medals. But this time, she had to fight just to make the squad, arriving as a last-minute injury replacement after a selection process that was itself mired in controversy, before clinching silver on Thursday at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall in Nagoya.
Now 25, the Manipuri secured silver for the second time in the same weight division of Sanda, the combat-sport discipline of Wushu. She had earlier defeated Macao’s Chu Man Sin 5-0 in the quarterfinals to assure herself of a medal. But Roshibina was looking to better her 2022 performance.
In the Sanda category of Wushu, semifinalists are guaranteed at least a bronze. The silver, nonetheless, has etched her name in the record books in a sport where China and Iran have remained dominant forces for years. Wushu originated in China and dates back to ancient times. It consists of two categories — Taolu, which focuses on precision and the execution of choreographed movements, including both unarmed and weapon events; and Sanda.
