India, Jan. 9 -- Wahengbam Sudhir Meetei of Manipur clinched the state's first-ever gold medal in Pencak Silat at the Khelo India Beach Games 2026, overcoming financial distress and a serious injury that once threatened to end his sporting career.

The 19-year-old athlete battled prolonged hardship, juggling training with earning a livelihood to support his family. Financial constraints forced him to discontinue his Bachelor of Physical Education course after he failed to pay his fifth-semester fees, a setback that temporarily derailed his academic and sporting ambitions.

Sudhir also suffered a major injury during training that compelled him to abandon the Tanding (combat) category. Determined to continue, he switched to the Artistic cat...