Ahead of National Sports Day, through the inspirational story of Prisca Pyngrope, Monojit Mandal underlines core athletic attributes of perseverance, persistence and tenacity as life’s tutelage.
In the heart of Shillong, amidst the serene hills and bustling city life, resides a remarkable young woman whose story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the unyielding human spirit.
Prisca Pyngrope (27), born with spina bifida, has risen above her circumstances to become a beacon of hope and inspiration for many in Meghalaya. As a competitive athlete, her journey speaks volumes about overcoming adversity and pursuing dreams against all odds.
Spina bifida is a congenital condition characterised by the incomplete closure of the spine and the surrounding membranes during early foetal development. This defect is classified as a neural tube defect (NTD), which occurs when the neural tube—responsible for forming the brain and spinal cord—fails to close properly during the first month of pregnancy.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday Shillong, Prisca Pyngrope shares her life’s struggles and an inspiring story of how willpower, resilience, determination, and hard work can lead one to the path of success in life.
Prisca’s early life was marked by profound challenges. Orphaned at birth, she was taken in by the Missionaries of Charity in Laitumkhrah, Shillong. “I don’t know where my parents are or my family,” she shares, reflecting on her upbringing in the orphanage. The sisters of the Missionaries of Charity became her family, providing care and sending her to school. Prisca attended Mary Rice Centre for nursery through second grade before transferring to Jyoti Sroat School and later Auxilium Higher Secondary School in Mawtnum Nongpoh.
Her educational journey was not linear, characterised by multiple school changes due to her unique circumstances. After completing her 12th grade at Jyoti Sroat School, Prisca pursued further studies at Don Bosco Technical School in Shillong, where she completed an ITI course.
“I started searching for a job to support myself,” she recalls. Her determination led her to Nazareth Hospital in Shillong, where she worked at the information counter and in medical records, earning enough to fund her education.
In 2019, Prisca’s life took a transformative turn when she learned about a scholarship opportunity at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Punjab. With the help of a friend from Chandigarh, she secured admission and pursued a BA in Psychology, a journey that included both offline and online classes due to the pandemic.
“Completing my three-year course in 2022 was a significant achievement,” she says with pride.
Despite the challenges, Prisca’s spirit was unbreakable. In 2021, she began working as a receptionist at Bethany Society, an NGO where she currently resides. “After turning 18, I couldn’t stay at the orphanage anymore. They told me I needed to be independent,” Prisca explains.
Her transition to independence was bolstered by her ambition to join sports, a passion she discovered in 2018.
Prisca’s introduction to sports began with wheelchair basketball. “We had 14 teams from various villages, all players with disabilities,” she shares. She participated in tournaments in Chandigarh and Chennai but had to leave the sport due to financial constraints and lack of support. Undeterred, she explored other avenues, participating in road marathons and eventually discovering para armwrestling.
The Association of Armwrestling of Meghalaya provided Prisca with the opportunity to pursue her new passion. “Para armwrestling helped me both physically and mentally,” she says. Her rigorous training schedule, despite her job as a receptionist, is a testament to her dedication. “I practise 4-5 hours a day. My coach, Junester Kharbuli, the president of Meghalaya Armwrestling (MAWA), has been instrumental in my training,” she adds.
Prisca’s hard work and perseverance paid off when she participated in the national competition in Nagpur, Maharashtra. “I had only one week of practice, but I didn’t give up. I fought until I succeeded,” she recalls. The experience of competing against strong and well-prepared opponents was daunting, but Prisca’s indomitable spirit shone through.
As she prepares for the World Para Armwrestling Championship, Prisca’s daily regimen is intense. “Training with a coach has made a significant impact on my preparation,” she acknowledges. Her mental and physical fortitude is a cornerstone of her approach to high-level competitions, built on lessons learned through years of perseverance.
Reflecting on her journey, Prisca emphasises the importance of helping others, teamwork, leadership, accountability, patience, and self-confidence. “Always give time for everything and face challenges head-on,” she advises.
Looking ahead, Prisca’s aspirations extend beyond sports. “I want to continue growing in my sporting career and personal life,” she shares. Her plans include furthering her education, possibly pursuing a master’s degree, and continuing to inspire others through her story.
Prisca Pyngrope’s journey from an orphanage in Shillong to the global stage of the World Para Armwrestling Championship is nothing short of extraordinary.
Her story is a powerful reminder that with resilience, support, and unwavering determination, one can overcome the most daunting challenges and achieve greatness. As she competes in Moldova, Prisca carries with her the hopes and dreams of many, embodying the true spirit of a champion.