Anai Wangsu’s Golden Triumph: Arunachal Weightlifter Overcomes Illness and Fulfils Brother’s Dream at KITG 2026

Raipur, March 2026 : Just days before departing for the first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG), 21-year-old weightlifter Anai Wangsu from Arunachal Pradesh was confined to a hospital bed. A recurring gastric condition had flared up again, leaving her weak and dependent on intravenous fluids to regain strength. At that moment, even her participation in the Games seemed uncertain.

However, adversity is not new to Anai. Since 2019, she has been battling this persistent illness, which often strikes without warning—causing fatigue, dehydration, and weakness in a sport that demands peak physical strength and balance.

Refusing to give in to her condition, Anai made a remarkable comeback. Just a day after being discharged from the hospital, she resumed training with renewed determination. This time, she was determined to rewrite her story—one that had often seen her come close to victory but fall just short.

Her perseverance paid off as she clinched the gold medal in the women’s 58 kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. Speaking after her victory, Anai said, “I had previously won bronze and silver medals, and my family always asked when I would win gold. Now everyone is very happy that I have finally achieved it.”

Before this triumph, Anai had secured two bronze medals at the Youth Nationals and multiple silver medals at various Khelo India events, including the 2025 Khelo India University Games in Rajasthan. Yet, the gold medal had always eluded her.

One of her most painful memories came during last year’s All India University Nationals, where she missed out on gold by just one lift after the one-minute time limit expired. Recalling that moment, she said, “I cried a lot that day. It felt like all my hard work had gone to waste.”

Anai, who belongs to the Wangcho tribe, credits her journey in weightlifting to her elder brother, Sinchad Bansu—a former national-level weightlifter who now serves in the Arunachal Pradesh Police. It was he who first took her to trials at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Itanagar.

Initially, Anai had little interest in weightlifting and aspired to become a boxer, inspired by the film on Mary Kom. However, her brother encouraged her to focus on weightlifting, a decision that soon paid off when she was selected for advanced training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Lucknow.

Her journey faced further setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she had to return to Arunachal Pradesh. Limited access to proper nutrition and resources worsened her health condition.

“I train very hard, but sometimes my health suddenly deteriorates. I don’t understand why my body doesn’t support me,” she shared.

Despite these challenges, Anai continues to dream of representing India on the international stage. Her gold medal at KITG 2026 stands as a testament to her resilience, proving that her relentless efforts are finally bearing fruit.