Showing remarkable grit and determination, 18-year-old Mizoram weightlifter Isak Malsawmtluanga won gold at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, overcoming deep personal loss and injury setbacks.
Competing in the men’s 60 kg category in Raipur, Isak registered a total lift of 235 kg. After falling behind in the snatch event, he made a strong comeback in the clean and jerk to finish on top of the podium.
Isak’s journey has been far from easy. He lost his father, Hming Malsawmtluanga, in a road accident in 2018, around the time he began training in weightlifting. Years later, he faced another major blow when his mother was diagnosed with cancer and eventually passed away, leaving him shattered.
At one point, Isak considered quitting the sport. However, encouragement from his aunt and uncle, along with the guidance of his childhood coach, helped him stay on track and continue pursuing his dream.
“Losing both my parents broke me completely. I almost gave up weightlifting,” he said. “But my family stood by me and pushed me to carry on.”
His gold medal win is not just a sporting achievement but a powerful story of perseverance, resilience, and rising above adversity.
