Debi Daimari Wins Silver After Battling Hardships and Working to Fund Wrestling Dream

Raipur, April 2026: The inspiring journey of Debi Daimari, a woman wrestler from Assam, stands as a powerful example of determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment. From working at a swimming pool to support her training to winning a silver medal at the Khelo India Tribal Games, her story reflects how perseverance can overcome even the toughest challenges.

Debi, 28, hails from Dineshpur village in Sisupani, located in Assam’s Golaghat district. Her life took a difficult turn at a very young age when she lost both her parents at just seven years old. She was then raised by her uncle and aunt, but financial struggles remained a constant part of her life. Despite these hardships, Debi never gave up on her dreams.

Initially, Debi was involved in powerlifting and arm wrestling. However, her life changed in 2022 when she met coach Anustup Narah at a tournament in Bokakhat. Recognising her potential, he encouraged her to take up wrestling. Taking his advice seriously, Debi shifted her focus to the sport and began training at a Khelo India Centre near Kaziranga.

Training, however, came with its own challenges. To stay near the centre, she needed to rent a room, but she could not afford the monthly rent of Rs 1,000. To manage her expenses, Debi took up part-time jobs. In 2022, she worked at a retail store earning Rs 2,500 per month. The following year, she found a better-paying job at a resort in Kaziranga, where she earned around Rs 7,000 monthly by maintaining and cleaning a swimming pool.

Despite working long hours, Debi remained committed to her training. She managed to practice wrestling for about two hours every evening after finishing her job. Her dedication eventually paid off when she won a silver medal in the women’s 62 kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games.

Reflecting on her achievement, Debi said that the medal is the result of her hard work over the past few years. However, she is not satisfied and aims to win gold in future competitions.

Her coach played a crucial role in her journey, helping her find work and even arranging a bicycle so she could commute between her job and training centre. This support enabled her to continue pursuing her passion without giving up.

Debi’s progress in wrestling has been remarkable. She qualified for the Senior Championship in Visakhapatnam in 2022 and went on to win a gold medal at the state championship in 2024.

Now married, Debi receives strong support from her husband, who works in Bengaluru and helps her financially. Looking ahead, her goal is to win more medals at the senior level and eventually represent India at the international stage.

Her journey is a testament to the fact that with determination and hard work, even the most difficult circumstances can be transformed into success.