From the mats of Manipur to the podiums of the world, Sushila Devi Likmabam’s judo odyssey captivates. Born 1995 in Imphal’s Heingang, her uncle—a former international judoka—launched her career at seven in 2002. SAI Manipur (2007-10) and Patiala shaped her technique amid towering obstacles.
Poverty shadowed her ascent. Father’s limited earnings meant skipped meals and missed meets for lack of cash. Proper diets? A distant dream. Persistence paid off with hostel stays, sponsors, and scholarships, unlocking her potential.
Accolades flooded in: 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth silver (48kg), 2019 South Asian gold, back-to-back Hong Kong Asia Open silvers. Solo Indian entry at Tokyo Olympics 2020, early exit notwithstanding. 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth silver sealed her elite status.
India pins hopes on Sushila for judo gold ahead. Her narrative—raw struggle yielding refined excellence—inspires a generation, highlighting sport’s power to elevate the underdog.