Siddi Wrestlers Shine at Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

Ambikapur — The spotlight at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 has firmly turned toward Karnataka’s Siddi community, whose wrestlers delivered an outstanding performance and signaled the rise of a new powerhouse in Indian wrestling.

The Siddis—an Indian community of African descent, with a significant population in Karnataka—made a strong mark on the mat. Out of nine wrestlers representing the state, four were from the community, and all four returned with medals.

Among the standout performers, Manisha Juava Siddi (76 kg), Rohan M. Doddamani (Greco-Roman 60 kg), and Princita Pedru Fernandes Siddi (68 kg) clinched gold medals, while Shalina Sayer Siddi (57 kg) secured a silver. Notably, all four had earlier topped selection trials at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, highlighting their consistency.

Their success goes beyond individual achievements—it reflects a growing wrestling culture within the Siddi community, particularly in the Haliyal region of Uttara Kannada. Coaches say local training centres and community support have played a crucial role in nurturing young talent.

Rohan, who hails from a modest background in Dharwad, shared that local wrestling competitions—or dangals—within the community have helped build both experience and motivation. Despite personal challenges, he has already competed at national-level events.

The rise of these athletes also underscores the impact of the Sports Authority of India’s talent development efforts under the Khelo India initiative, which focuses on identifying and training athletes from grassroots and tribal communities.

Shalina, who won silver, spoke about the growing interest in wrestling among Siddi youth and expressed determination to aim for gold in the future. Meanwhile, Princita shared how she initially resisted the sport but later found inspiration in her peers and now trains rigorously with international ambitions.

Their achievements highlight a broader narrative—when provided with the right opportunities, infrastructure, and encouragement, talent from even the most remote and underrepresented communities can rise to national prominence and shape the future of Indian sports.

With inputs from IANS