Interview with Naorem Roshibina Devi: Two-time Asian Games Medallist (Wushu)

Khuman *

Moment of Happiness Naorem Roshibina Devi and Coach Premkumar on Receiving Arjuna Award 2023 :: Photo Courtsey:- Coach Premkumar

Naorem Roshibina Devi is an Indian Wushu player from Manipur, India. She is from Kwaksiphai Mayai Leikai in Bishnupur District of Manipur. She is a daughter of Naorem Damu Singh (Father) and Naorem (O) Romila Devi (Mother). Recently, Roshibina was conferred the ARJUNA AWARD for 2023. She is very young and dreams of becoming a World Famous Sports Player. Recently, she was named "International Wushu Federation’s (IWUF) Female Athelet Of The Year" in the Sanda Category.

E-pao: - First of all, we would like to congratulate about your achievements and contribution so far.
Roshibina: - Thank you so much. And it’s my pleasure to meet you.

E-pao: - Please share how you started your career.
Roshibina: - It is my pleasure to share the start of my career. I belong to a financially weak family both my parents are farmers. All my family members are my strength. Since childhood, I have loved to watch movies mainly based on Martial Arts like movies of Jackie Chan (she smiled). I was inspired to choose WUSHU from watching such Martial Arts movies. I started training and playing when I was 9/10 years old. Then, one of my sisters from a locality called Eche Malemnganbi introduced me to SAI (Sports Authority of India). After that, I met my Coach Maibam Premkumar in the year 2014. The journey so far is full of the happiest moments and many challenging steps.

E-pao: - Please share about your training/practice schedule.
Roshibina: - Yes, training/practice is very much to improve overall. Most of the time, I practice at the SAI complex, Takyel under the guidance of Coach Premkumar. The schedule is like in the morning around 3 hours and evening around 03 hours. Training/Practice keeps on changing when there is competition.

E-pao: - What do you do when you have extra time apart from your playing.
Roshibina: - Very interesting question (she smiled). I love listening to music, playing football, and watching videos (like Billionaire Lifestyle). I always stay positive by doing such interesting things when I am free from training/practice.

E-pao: - To whom would you like to give credit for your success.
Roshibina: - Such a lovely question. I would like to say without the support from people it is impossible to reach this level. Firstly, I would like to give credit to my parents and all the family members. As they sacrifice everything for me. Even though my family is having financial problems; but for me they always help by any means to fulfill my needs and requirements. Secondly, I would like to extend my Coach Premkumar because he is everything to my career growth and achievement. I always believe him and strictly follow his guidance. The relationship and care I got from his is priceless in the world. Lastly, thanks to all the supporters.

Moment of Happiness Naorem Roshibina Devi and Coach Premkumar on Receiving Arjuna Award 2023 :: Photo Courtsey:- Coach Premkumar

E-pao: - After participated in both the National and International levels what are your experiences.
Roshibina: - For every player, the goal is to take part in various levels starting from small competitive championships to more competitive championships. I got an opportunity to fight at the International level through Coach Premkumar. He is always ready to uplift a player’s career and I took seriously in his dream and tried my best level. Vigorous training is required to enter the international level. Once I cracked the National Level then my energy and confidence boosted to fight at the international level. Like this, my overall confidence, energy, and experience increased through various championships.

E-pao: - Roshibina, please share your achievements.
Roshibina: - I have participated in both the National and International Championships. Here are my achievements:-

NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Sl. No	Sports Event	Date & Venue	Weight	Medal
1.	Sub-Junior National Wushu Champ -2012	27th to 31st March, 2012 (Jammu & Kashmir)	28 kg	Bronze
2.	12th Sub-Junior National Wushu Champ. -2012	24th to 29th Dec, 2012 (Chhattishgarh)	28 kg	Silver
3.	13th Sub-Junior National Wushu Champ. - 2013	18th to 23rd Oct 2023, Karnataka	32 kg	Gold
4.	60th National School Games - 2014	19th to 23rd Nov 2014, Jabalpur & Madya Pradesh	40 kg	Gold
5.	14th Sub-Junior National Wushu Champ. - 2015	25th to 29th March 2015 (Haryana & Rohtak)	40 kg	Gold
6.	15th Junior National Wushu Champ. - 2016	18th to 23rd Dec 2016, Maharashtra	52 kg	Gold
7.	27th Senior National Wushu Champ. - 2018	Shillong	60 kg	Gold
8.	28th Senior National Wushu Champ. - 2019	26th to 30th Dec 2019, Jammu & Kashmir	60 kg	Gold
9.	29th Senior National Wushu Champ. - 2020	25th Feb to 2nd Mar 2021, Chandigarh	60 kg	Gold
10.	30th Senior National Wushu Champ. - 2021	4th to 10th Dec 2021, Bhopal	60 kg	Gold
11.	36th National Games 2022	29th Sept to 12th Oct 2022, Gujarat	60 kg	Gold
12.	31st Senior National Wushu Champ. - 2022	28th oct to 2nd Nov 2022, Jammu & Kashmir	60 kg	Gold
13.	37th National Games Goa	26th oct to 8th Nov 2023	60 kg	Gold

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Sl. No	Sports Event	Date & Venue	Weight	Medal
1.	6th Junior World Wushu Champ. - 2016	25th Sept to 3rd Oct 2016, Bulgaria, Europe	48 kg	Bronze
2.	9th Asian Junior Wushu Champ. - 2017	14th to 21st Sept 2017, Gumi, Korea	60 kg	Gold
3.	Moscow Wushu Stars Tournament - 2018	14th to 21st Feb 2018, Moscow, Russia	60 kg	Gold
4.	18th Asian Games 2018	18th Aug to 2nd Sept 2018, Jakarta Palembang, Indonesia	60 kg	Bronze
5.	13th South Asian Gmaes - 2019	1st to 10th Dec 2019, Kathmandu, Nepal	60 kg	Gold
6.	Moscow Wushu International Tournament 2023	2nd to 8th May 2023, Russia	60 kg	Gold
7.	19th Asian Games Hangzou China 2023	23rd Sept to 8th Oct 2023, Hangzou, China	60 kg	Silver
8.	16th World Wushu Championship at Texas USA 2023	14th to 22nd Nov 2023, Texas, USA	60 kg	Silver

E-pao: - Please highlight the importance of academic education as a player.
Roshibina: - Education is very must for everyone. I am pursuing a B.A. It is required for all of us because we interact with many people from place to place and we have to communicate with them. Communication, Personality, and others are necessary to be fit in the environment. Because of this, we must have proper education to groom ourselves. As we travel to many places for competitions we are getting the chance to interact with many people and need to communicate with them. At the beginning of my career, I used to have language problems and was even unable to face people. But, through experiences, I developed a lot.

E-pao: - What are future plans.
Roshibina: - I have a big dream to become a World Famous Player. So I plan to do what I am doing with full dedication and hard work.

E-pao: - Please let us know what your expectations are.
Roshibina: - I don’t have much expectation but what I would like to mention is it would be very good and progressive if the State Government put their eagle eyes in encouraging and motivating the Sports persons. Recently, the government assured me a job and I am just looking forward to having such a designation (I expect at least DSP Designation – she smiled) which is equally offered in other states. I took that having a livelihood is a must.

The recognition and appreciation of my hard work and dedication by the government is what I think is serious and very valuable. At the same time, we need support and motivation from the people of the state. The encouragement and motivation from everyone will help me to do more in my career. Such encouragement and motivation are not only about financial assistance.

It has already been experienced that the upliftment of sports players is very low and slow in comparison with other states. If the government has a proper plan for the upliftment of sports then we will be able to produce more talented sports players. Lastly, I would like to say that having a permanent and suitable job will help the players in minimizing his or her challenges especially the financial problem which is one of the biggest challenges for every player.

E-pao: - What message would you like to give to the aspiring individual.
Roshibina: - I am only 23 years old and still young in the journey. I don’t have much to tell but I would like to say that whenever we are doing anything please do it with dedication, hard work and always believe yourself. Always trust and believe your coach. Never discourage yourself.

E-pao: - Thank you Roshibina for giving us the time. We wish you best of luck in every step.
Roshibina: -My pleasure. Thanks and wishing you the same.

See a full photo gallery of Naorem Roshibina Devi here

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* Khuman conducted this interview for e-pao.net sometime in January 2024
This article was webcasted on February 21 2024.

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