Extreme life challenges often transform into an individual's greatest strength. The journey of Manipur's young weightlifting talent, Rishikanta Singh Chanam, stands as a testament to this truth. While Rishikanta was stepping onto the international platform to lift weights for India, his father was fighting blood cancer in a hospital bed thousands of kilometers away. Overcoming severe emotional distress and distance, Rishikanta delivered an exceptional performance at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship in Glasgow, winning a silver medal that reflects not just athletic prowess, but deep family sacrifice and perseverance.
A Silver Won Thousands of Kilometers Away From Home
Competing in the men's 60 kg weight class at the Commonwealth Weightlifting Championship, Rishikanta Singh executed an impressive total lift of 264 kg to secure the silver medal for India. As he stood on the podium in Glasgow, his family watched the moment live on a mobile screen roughly 7,000 kilometers away in Uttarlai, located in the Barmer district of Rajasthan.
Although Rishikanta's ancestral home is in Ngairangbam Makha Maning Leikai in Imphal West district, Manipur, his parents have been residing in Rajasthan with his elder brother. Rishikanta's father is currently undergoing treatment for blood cancer at AIIMS Jodhpur, where he has completed three rounds of chemotherapy. Despite the immense pressure and worry back home, Rishikanta remained focused on delivering his best performance on the international stage.
Earning 150 Rupees a Day for Basic Education
The journey to international success was paved with severe financial hardship. During his childhood, Rishikanta worked as a daily wage laborer alongside friends for two to three months. Lacking specialized skills at a young age, he took on whatever manual labor was available in his locality.
For this arduous work, he earned approximately ₹150 per day. His initial motivation was simple: he wanted to pay his own private school tuition fees so he could study alongside his peers. However, as his family's financial crisis worsened, even those small daily earnings had to be redirected toward meeting basic household expenses.
Parents Working in Others' Fields to Feed the Family
Rishikanta grew up in a modest family of six, which included his parents, two brothers, and two sisters. His parents did not own any agricultural land and had to work as manual laborers in other people's fields to make ends meet.
To support the six-member household, his father combined agricultural labor with driving a taxi. Despite extremely limited financial means, the family stayed united and worked relentlessly to ensure their children were raised with dignity.
Elder Brother Amarjeet Singh: The Pillar of Support
A major turning point in Rishikanta's life and sporting ambition came when his elder brother, Amarjeet Singh, joined the Indian Air Force in 2012. Amarjeet's steady job brought much-needed financial stability to the family, allowing them to overcome extreme poverty.
Rishikanta considers Amarjeet not just a brother, but a second father. When Rishikanta lacked resources for professional training and competition entry, Amarjeet took total responsibility for his younger brother's expenses, covering coaching fees, sporting gear, and travel costs. Rishikanta attributes his sporting success primarily to his elder brother's unconditional support.
A Devoted Son Thinking of His Father's Smile
Throughout the intense moments of competition in Glasgow, Rishikanta kept his sick father in his thoughts. Bringing a smile to his father's face had always been his guiding goal. During his last visit home, Rishikanta took his father to a vehicle showroom to help him purchase his first-ever scooter, an emotional moment that Rishikanta treasures more than any medal.
An Inspiration for Aspiring Athletes Across India
Rishikanta Singh Chanam's rise from earning ₹150 a day as a child worker to standing on an international podium demonstrates that clarity of vision and honest hard work can defeat any obstacle. His journey remains a beacon of hope for millions of young athletes across India who dream big despite limited means.
