In the high-stakes world of international judo, few stories inspire like that of Sushila Devi Likmabam. Born on February 1, 1995, in Heingang Mayei Leikai, Imphal, Manipur, this determined athlete rose from humble beginnings to etch her name in India’s sporting history. Her uncle, Likmabam Dinith, an international judoka, spotted her potential early and guided her into the sport at just seven years old, taking her to Khuman Lampak in 2002 for initial training.
The early years were grueling. Training at the Sports Authority of India in Manipur from 2007 to 2010, then moving to Patiala in 2010, Sushila faced relentless challenges. Her father’s job in a private firm barely covered basics. Competitions often meant scraping together travel money, and a proper athlete’s diet was a luxury she couldn’t afford. Hunger and financial strain tested her resolve, yet she pressed on undeterred.
Relief came with SAI hostel accommodation, sponsorships, and a government scholarship. Freed from survival worries, Sushila channeled her energy into mastery. Her breakthrough arrived in 2014 at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where she clinched silver in the 48kg category. The wins kept coming: gold at the 2019 South Asian Games, silvers at the 2018 and 2019 Hong Kong Asia Open.
She made history as India’s lone judo representative at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, though she exited in the first round. Undaunted, Sushila roared back with another silver at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Today, as she eyes future gold, her journey symbolizes resilience, proving that perseverance can turn adversity into triumph on global stages.