Their success transcends medals, symbolising the community's rise as a wrestling force; around 50,000 Siddis of African origin live in India, one-third in Karnataka.

Karnataka fielded nine wrestlers, four from the Siddi community: three claimed gold-Manisha Juawa Siddi (76kg), Rohan M Dodamani (Greco-Roman 60kg), and Princita Peteru Fernandes Siddi (68kg)-while Shalina Sayer Siddi (57kg) settled for silver.

This triumph reflects their grit and the community's growing wrestling prowess. All four topped trials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Stadium.

Karnataka wrestling coach Mamta expressed pride, telling SAI Media: Just as Haryana dominates national wrestling, Karnataka's Aaliyala region holds sway here. The Department of Youth Development Centre primarily trains Siddi children, whose passion for the sport has surged recently.

Rohan M Dodamani from Dharwad, whose mother cooks at a government school and father passed away six years ago, noted: Local dangals in our community offer big prizes to winners. Before this gold, I competed in Senior Nationals, National Games, and All India University Games.

Initiatives like Khelo India Youth Games (launched 2018 by SAI and Sports Ministry), University Games, and now Tribal Games spotlight hidden talent. SAI Talent Development Committee's Maha Singh Rao said: We identify young prodigies to realise PM Narendra Modi's vision of hosting 2036 Olympics in India, aiming for more medals.

Silver medallist Shalina Sayer Siddi from Uttara Kannada-Karwar credited her uncle's training: Our community is warming to wrestling; I missed gold despite hard work.

Gold winner Princita Siddi from the same district added: I cried initially but joined seeing peers practice. I train two hours morning and evening, targeting international medals.

Their achievements prove that with platforms, training, and support, remote communities can shape India's sporting future.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar