Celebrating Asian Games Victory: Sushila and Bichu Return to Imphal
Warm Welcome for Gold Medalists
Asian Games gold medallists Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Bichu Devi Kharibam in Imphal, on Monday. (AT Photo)
Imphal, Oct 5: On Monday, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam and Bichu Devi Kharibam, who recently clinched gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, were greeted with enthusiasm upon their return to Imphal.
The Director of the YAS Department, Veto, welcomed the athletes on behalf of the state government, accompanied by officials from the Manipur Hockey Association, family members, and supporters.
As integral members of the Indian women's hockey team, Sushila and Bichu played crucial roles in the 1-0 victory over China in the gold medal match, marking India's first Asian Games women's hockey title in 14 years and securing a direct spot for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
In a press interaction post-arrival, Sushila highlighted the significance of Olympic qualification but reminded that the final squad for Los Angeles is yet to be determined. She emphasized the need for continued hard work, stating, “We don’t know who will go and who will not. We will continue to work hard.”
Bichu reflected on the team's rigorous preparation leading up to the Asian Games, noting that after the World Cup, the players opted to train continuously instead of taking a break, prioritizing their goal of winning gold.
Despite the coach's suggestion for a short rest, the team chose to stay focused on their training, analyzing past matches through video reviews, identifying improvement areas, and motivating each other through meetings.
According to Bichu, their preparation spanned around six months, encompassing technical skills, fitness, diet, and overall daily routines.
Sushila expressed that with better facilities and exposure, Manipur could produce more hockey talent. She pointed out the need for more hockey grounds to nurture young players, acknowledging the prominence of cricket and football.
She urged the community to support athletes regardless of their performance, stating that encouragement is vital for motivation. Drawing from her own experiences with injuries, she advised young players to persevere, saying, “Life mein give up mat karna. Teen-teen surgery hone ke baad bhi main abhi khel rahi hoon.”
Bichu shared her pride in being from Manipur and emphasized the importance of promoting peace in the state, seeking support from those she meets.
The return journey to Imphal was tiring for many team members, with Bichu mentioning their travel route from Japan through Hong Kong and Bengaluru, which left several players fatigued.
Both athletes expressed heartfelt gratitude to their families, coaches, teammates, friends, and supporters for their contributions to the gold medal achievement.
With the Asian Games title secured and Olympic qualification in hand, the focus now shifts towards preparing for Los Angeles 2028. However, Sushila reminded that Olympic selection is not guaranteed and that hard work must continue.