Poverty, hunger and civic disadvantages would be a considerable hurdle for anyone targeting an achievement, but not for a warrior.
For that is what martial arts has made Sumitra Munda, the teenage daughter of a farmhand in Odisha. Her humble background has not dampened her passion for Wushu in eight years, and her coach sees a spark in her, which may lead Sumitra into the international arena and possible championship.
And this 15-year-old intends to fast-track that journey. Sumitra has already won accolades across the country with her performances in the National Sub-junior Wushu Championship events held from 2016 to 2021 in Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu & Kashmir.
On Track
The Wushu bug bit Sumitra when she was in class II, studying at the local government primary school. She was struck by the discipline and power of the techniques. Being practiced by a bunch of boys in the school playground. And began emulating them all by herself.
It was then that Wushu national coach Pankaj Kumar Mahanta spotted Sumitra. At the time, Mahanta was simply an instructor at a school for orphans. And children of the economically weaker sections in Keonjhar, Odisha.
Himself travelling 25 km from Barbil town to train the local boys. Mahanta was impressed by the young girl’s perseverance. “She was a rough diamond at the time,” he says. “But I thought she would sparkle after being polished.”
Sumitra intends to keep her eyes firmly on the target. At an age when most girls are thinking of boyfriends, she has made up her mind not to marry. “I will never tie the knot. I want to mount the podium in the international field without being disturbed and distracted,” she declares firmly.
Mahanta explains how Sumitra was tested in the rigours of the martial arts. “Satisfied with her ability and agility patience and perseverance that suit the intricate nitty-gritty of Wushu. I inducted her into my fold in 2015,” he says.
Sumitra’s village came into the limelight for Wushu in 2019 because of local girl Manju Munda’s gold medal at the Wushu Stars Championship held in Moscow, Russia. Manju was the only player from The Indian Tribal sports in Odisha in the Indian squad coached by Mahanta and three others.
Now in class X, Sumitra says, “I want to be like Manju Munda (in pic right ),” voicing her determination to become an international champion.
However, this young star’s training hasn’t been an easy road. And there seems to be no bright light at the end of the tunnel.
Not Enough Means
Sumitra’s family of seven lives in Sialijoda village, in Joda block of Keonjhar district. Labourers Danka Munda and his wife Bangi are now incapacitated by illness. And the household is managed by two elder siblings, Jukarmuni (35) and Madhusudan (20).
Sumitra’s eldest sister is still unmarried and manages the household. Apart from earning a meager income from selling local liquor, handia. Her brother works as a labourer.
“Ma is almost immobile,” says Sumitra. “Baba is almost in a similar state. Their condition has not improved despite medical treatment.” Their malnourishment is a possible reason for ill-health. But the family still goes without food on bad days.
Despite life’s tribals and tribulations, Sumitra remains undaunted. Her love for The Indian Tribal sports in Odisha and her genuine talent are paying rich dividends.
This year, the tribal teenager won a silver medal at the Sub-junior Wushu Championship. And Sumitra was merely continuing her consistent run, having bagged silvers at the national level in 2019 and 2018 too. In 2016, she had won the gold medal.
She may well change her mind at a later age, but the champion in Sumitra will probably change her circumstances and destiny long before that.
