By Our Reporter
Shillong, April 14: There are no pauses in Juh Pa U Juh Nongtdu’s life — only a relentless cycle of training, work, and survival. Dawn begins on the mat, the day unfolds in labour, evening returns him to training, and often, the night pulls him back to work again. Somewhere within that grind, the young wrestler has carved history.
Hailing from Nartiang and now based in Madanrting, Nongtdu became the first athlete from Meghalaya to win a national medal in wrestling, clinching bronze at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh. It is a landmark achievement for the state, but one rooted in struggle rather than comfort.
With wrestling still a relatively new pursuit — barely two years into the sport — Nongtdu has had to balance ambition with responsibility. A daily wage earner, he supplements his income by working at his coach’s guesthouse and riding for Rapido. At home, the burden has only grown heavier, with his ailing mother unable to work and dependent on him.
Despite the challenges, Nongtdu continues to push forward, driven by discipline and necessity in equal measure.
Speaking at a felicitation programme, he kept his remarks brief, expressing gratitude to God, his coach, training partners and the Sports Department. But away from the formal setting, he offered a more candid glimpse into the life behind the medal.
“We train in the morning, work during the day, and then return to training in the evening… after that, we go back to work again. It is difficult,” he said.
While acknowledging the support extended to athletes, particularly for travel during competitions, Nongtdu stressed that it falls short of what is required to compete consistently at the national level.“If they really want athletes to bring home medals, they need to extend 100 per cent support,” he said, advocating for structured assistance such as stipends and hostel facilities. His appeal was measured, not as a complaint, but as a reflection of the gaps that athletes like him must navigate daily.
The felicitation ceremony also honoured fellow wrestlers Ribhalang Sun and Jeff Gary Diengdoh, with officials outlining ambitions for greater success on bigger platforms. Yet, Nongtdu’s journey stood apart — less about the medal itself, more about the path taken to reach it.“I am confident to win a medal — that is my aim,” he added, already looking ahead.
For Meghalaya, the bronze marks a historic breakthrough. For Nongtdu, it is something deeper — a testament to resilience, forged in long days, sleepless nights, and an unyielding belief that even without rest or certainty, progress is still possible.
