ITANAGAR: In a disappointing turn of events, three talented athletes from Arunachal Pradesh - Nyeman Wangsu, Onilu Tega, and Mepung Lamgu - were denied visas by China, preventing them from participating in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Despite this setback, the determined trio is setting their sights on gold at the 37th National Games Goa, aiming to make a resounding statement with their performances.
Expressing their dismay about missing the Asian Games, Nyeman Wangsu shared, "Ever since we started training in Wushu, our ambition has always been to compete at the Asian Games as it is the highest level of competition in the sport. So, we were heartbroken at first to not be able to compete despite qualifying because of something that was not in our hands."
However, their coach, Premchandra Singh, played a pivotal role in helping them overcome this disappointment and shift their focus to future competitions. Wangsu said, "Our coach understood our heartbreak because we worked so hard all together, but then he only took the initiative to help us move on. His guidance was that we are still very young with a bright future ahead of us. There is no point in looking back on the past as it will only hinder our practice. We have left the disappointments of the past behind and have eyes only on the future now."
Nyeman Wangsu arrived in Goa directly from the National Camp in Patiala, where the contingent is training for the upcoming Wushu World Championships in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, scheduled to be held from November 16 to 20.
Wushu, a relatively lesser-known sport in Arunachal Pradesh when introduced in the state in 2013, has gained recognition and popularity, thanks to the dedication of young athletes like Nyeman and the relentless efforts of their coach Premchandra Singh. Wangsu acknowledged the sport's growth, saying, "There wasn't proper infrastructure in the beginning, but as we worked hard towards our goals and started winning medals, gradually the state granted us better training facilities for us to continue our efforts. Our coach Premchandra sir has worked tirelessly towards the growth of the sport, and he is the prime reason that everyone in Arunachal Pradesh is well aware of Wushu as being a graceful Chinese martial art form now."
As the 37th National Games kicked off, Arunachal's Onilu Tega showcased her prowess by convincingly defeating Rajasthan's Jahanvi Mehra in her first bout in the Girl's 52kg Sanda discipline. She is now set to face Madhya Pradesh's Namrata Batra in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Mercy Nagaimong, a two-time National Games gold medalist in the women's Changquan event, credited improved training facilities at their residential academy in Itanagar for their stellar performances. She also mentioned that a new Chinese Wushu arena is in the works, which will provide top-notch facilities for players to focus on their training, signifying a brighter future for Wushu in Arunachal Pradesh.
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