Martina Devi Maibam — until yesterday, the name meant little to most Indian sports fans. She is not someone many have followed, nor is she an athlete whose journey has been widely documented. And yet, hers is a story of hope and optimism.
At just 20, Martina, from Manipur, came close to becoming India’s first super-heavyweight medallist at the Commonwealth Games. She did not win a medal, and yet I am writing about her. Why? Here’s my answer.
Her coach, Vijay Sharma, has been telling me about her for close to two months. I was also at the training facility in Wolverhampton on 13 July, watching Martina prepare. She has a story worth telling.
When we asked whether she was finding it difficult to adjust to the time difference, she looked puzzled. Her expression seemed to say, “What kind of question is that?”
“If you ask me to lift weights at 3am, I will,” she said. “If you ask me to do it at 4am, I will do that too. I am here to compete, and time zones don’t matter to me. I am living my dream and want to win a medal for India.”
Martina is not the most articulate speaker, nor does she need to be. What she knows is how to lift weights and how to compete at the highest level.
Many will say she failed in Glasgow. Yes, she did. So what?
In sport, failure is inevitable. It comes far more often than success. Every setback is a stepping stone, and that is all that should matter.
She failed with her first two snatch attempts and was clearly tense. When she finally completed a successful lift at 105kg, she was in tears. A more experienced Martina may never have reacted that way, and that is precisely why I will back her.
A medal could have changed her life. But perhaps missing out will drive her even harder. If the hunger remains, Martina will find a way. From here, she should aspire to emulate Mirabai Chanu, keep improving and target an Asian Games podium in the years ahead. At 20, the world is her oyster, and with Vijay Sharma in her corner, she has all the support she needs.
For some, it is simply about medals. If you do not win one, people ask what the big deal is and why anyone should be talking about you.
Take a moment and think about where Martina comes from. Think about her background and the struggles she has had to overcome. Think about how difficult the journey must have been to reach this stage. Then think about what it would mean for her to stand on the podium and watch the Indian flag being raised.
Only then will you understand that Martina was already living her dream.
She is only a few years older than my daughter, and I will continue to back her because I believe she is a champion of tomorrow.
More athletes like Martina will shape India’s sporting future. And, in the process, they will give Manipur the voice it so richly deserves.
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