Nyeman Wangsu, a rising wushu star from Arunachal Pradesh, delivered a fierce and powerful performance at the 38th National Games 2025, securing a gold medal in the Taolu Single-Senior Daoshu female category with an impressive score of 9.13 points. This marks the first gold medal for Arunachal Pradesh in the prestigious event.
Nyeman’s dominance in wushu is nothing short of historic. Having won gold medals at the 36th and 37th National Games, her latest victory cements her status as the first athlete from Arunachal Pradesh to win gold in three consecutive National Games.
Nyeman was among the three Indian athletes who had qualified to represent India at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. However, due to a visa dispute, she and two other athletes were denied participation, a major setback for her career. Despite this, she returned stronger, proving her resilience and skill by dominating the national wushu circuit.
Another wushu athlete from Arunachal, who previously won gold in the Nandao female category at the 36th National Games in Goa, secured a bronze medal in the same event this year. Meanwhile, Ms. Chera Loku, who brought home a bronze medal for India at the 4th World Wushu Taijiquan Championship in Singapore (August 2024), continued her impressive performance by winning a silver medal for Arunachal Pradesh in the National Games.
These achievements highlight the remarkable growth of women athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in wushu, a sport where they have consistently made a mark at both national and international levels.
Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy: A Powerhouse of Wushu Champions
A common thread among these top-performing athletes is their training at the Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA), Arunachal Pradesh’s premier state-run sports institution.
Established in 1988, the academy aims to nurture young sporting talents and has played a crucial role in shaping national and international athletes. Though it remained defunct for several years, the academy was revived on March 31, 2001, under the leadership of Lt. Sangay Lhaden, then Secretary of Education and Sports & Youth Affairs. Since then, SLSA has expanded its scope, introducing multiple disciplines including wushu, boxing, football, judo, and weightlifting.
The academy provides free accommodation, training, and coaching for promising athletes even after class 12, a commendable policy that has yielded spectacular results, particularly in wushu. Under the expert guidance of M. Premchandra Singh, Wushu Coach, Department of Sports, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, athletes trained at SLSA have never failed to bring home medals in every recognized wushu championship.
The Rise of Women Athletes in Arunachal & North East India
Women athletes from the North East are outshining their male counterparts in multiple sports. Their dominance is evident across disciplines, with stars like Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing), and now Nyeman Wangsu (wushu) putting the region on the global sports map.
While the Government of India has initiated women-centric leagues like the ASMITA League, it is high time that the Arunachal Pradesh government and other North East states revise their sports funding policies. Increased investment in women-centric sports programs, better training facilities, and coaching opportunities—both within and outside the state—will further empower female athletes and continue the region’s legacy of sports excellence.
With champions like Nyeman Wangsu, Chera Loku, and Yorna Roshni leading the way, Arunachal Pradesh’s women in wushu are proving that they belong on the grandest stages. Their unwavering spirit, resilience, and dedication deserve more support and recognition, ensuring that the next generation of Arunachal’s daughters continue to make history in sports.
 and Yora Roshni (Bronze), athletes shine on the national games 2025){kind=link}