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Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Despite injured shoulder, Poonam Oran won gold, became champion after 9 years of struggle. Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 Raipur Jharkhand Wrestler Poonam Uraon Won Gold Injury Comeback Story

Sanjeev Kumar | March 31, 2026 7:21 PM CST

Jharkhand wrestler Poonam Oran won gold medal in Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 despite injured shoulder. After nine years of struggle, injury and difficult circumstances, he made a brilliant comeback and won the gold.

Raipur. In a tough sport like wrestling, where strength and fitness are of utmost importance, coping with injuries is extremely challenging. But 19-year-old wrestler Poonam Oran from Jharkhand accepted this challenge and performed brilliantly and won the gold medal in the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026.

Great victory despite pain in the final match

Poonam entered the final match with a bandage on her left shoulder. The pain was clearly visible during every move, but he did not lose courage. She defeated K. of Telangana in women's 50 kg category. Won the gold medal by defeating Geeta.

'Haven't accepted defeat for nine years, how can you accept defeat now' - Poonam Oran

After winning the gold medal, Poonam told SAI media,

How could I accept defeat sir? When you had not accepted defeat for nine years, how could you accept defeat now? This injury is quite old. Six years ago I dislocated my shoulder. He recovered in the middle, but got injured again during training. Despite this I made a comeback and now won the gold. I have been battling injuries since the beginning of my career, but never gave up. This gold medal is like a dream come true for me. The pain of not winning gold for nine years was much bigger than this injury.

Struggling start: Away from the mat for a year due to injury

This victory is very special for Poonam, a resident of Suiyabar village in Chatra district of Jharkhand. As soon as she started wrestling in 2017, she suffered a serious injury, due to which she stayed away from the mat for almost a year. After his comeback, he won bronze medals at the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) in 2018 and 2019, but did not get any medal for a long time after that.

Family stopped, coach supported

Poonam told that even before this competition she was not completely fit. He said,

My family members were refusing me to play, but my coach and support staff had faith in me. It was only with his support that I was able to play and win gold.

He further said that winning a medal after six years is very special for him and it is the result of his strong will.

Special achievement for Poonam from Oran community

This gold medal is a big achievement for Poonam, who comes from the Oran community. She said, "I had to wait a long time for this gold. I struggled with injuries right from the beginning, but never gave up. This victory is like a dream come true for me."

Balance between studies and sports

Poonam is ahead not only in sports but also in studies. She is studying BA (Political Science) from Ranchi University and has been practicing by living in a hostel in Ranchi for the last 10 years.

Now keeping an eye on Junior Nationals

Now Poonam's next target is to qualify for the Junior National Trials. He said,

I want to continue this success and my goal is to perform better at the Junior Nationals.