Tea Seller’s Daughter From Assam Wins Big At “Khelo India Youth Games”

Panchami Sonowal, who won the gold medal in the 49kg weightlifting category in the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games in Madhya Pradesh, belongs to Dhemaji district of Assam. It is one of the most backward areas of Assam. To run the family, Panchami’s father runs a dhaba in Dhemaji and her brother drives an auto to supplement the family’s income.

Panchami has many difficulties in her life but oblivious to them, she is concentrating on her game as she has full support from her family. Panchami, who considers India’s Olympic medalist Mirabai Chanu as her inspiration, now aims to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games for the country after winning gold in Indore in the Khelo India Youth Games 2022 Madhya Pradesh.

According to the Asian Development Bank, Dhemaji is the most flood affected district of Assam. The situation is so grave that the flood situation persists here for six months from April to September. Panchami’s family is living amidst these miseries and Panchami who practices only in Dhemaji is only looking forward.

17 years old cheerful Panchami said,- My father runs a dhaba and my brother drives an auto, but they give in their all for me to keep up with the needs of my sport. I practice regularly and my dream is to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games for the country in the coming years.

Panchami said that earlier she had participated in the Nationals held in Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu. There she won gold with 70 KG (snatch) and 91 KG (national youth record) in clean and jerk.

Panchami said,- This time I could lift only 65 and 89 weights. I don’t have any injury but after the nationals I practiced less. Ritika V. of Tamil Nadu would not have scored better than me in snatch (69) if I had been in practice.