Asian Games bronze medallist aims for gold in World Wushu Championship

Young Wushu Player Yumnam Sanathoi Devi who made India proud by winning a bronze medal at the recently held 17th Asian Games in South Korea, now targets to win gold medals at 2015 World Wushu Championship and Rio 2016 Olympics.

A resident of Yairipok Top Chingtha village in Thoubal district of Manipur, she won a bronze medal at the recently concluded Incheon Asian Games.

"My plan is to play well for the next 4-5 years and reach the Olympic level. I want to get a title like Mary Kom. So, I am preparing hard now for achieving that. Later, I want to groom the upcoming Wushu players," said Devi.

Sanathoi took up Wushu, a traditional Chinese martial arts in 2003 under the guidance of Maibam Surbala Devi and later under Moirangthem Ibomcha Meitei. She later availed training by the Sports Authority of India.

"She joined in 2003. She has a lot of patience, will power and good discipline. As a result of which she has been able to reach at this stage. When the coach gives any instructions, she follows it and she always try to do it. That is why she has been able to achieve this," added Wushu Coach Moirangthem Ibomcha Meitei.

"She has got a medal with the help of her teacher and we are so happy for her success. We are really grateful to her coach. If her father would have been alive, he would have been very happy. Out of the nine siblings, she is the one that has made me proud," said Sanathoi's mother, Yumnam Memma Devi.

Hailing from a poor family, Sanathoi had to struggle a lot to reach this stage. Pursuing her graduation, Sanathoi also helps out her family in making clothes in looms during her leisure time. The success of young sportspersons like Sanathoi Devi is an inspiration for the youth in the region.