In a story of remarkable grit and passion, Raja Das, a 33-year-old from Kolkata, has triumphed over adversity to win a gold medal at the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2026. When he is not honing his martial arts skills, Raja assists his father in the humble family trade of supplying ice to local blood banks in the city.
Balancing Dreams and Duty
The West Bengal athlete's life is a delicate balance between sporting ambition and familial responsibility. His father has worked as a street hawker for decades, and Raja has been by his side since childhood. Despite the meagre income from the ice-supply business, his family's unwavering support fuels his athletic dreams. Tragedy struck in 2018 when Raja lost his younger brother in a train accident in Howrah, forcing him to shoulder greater financial burdens for the household. To supplement income, he has also completed a physical therapy course.
The Path to Pencak Silat Glory
A commerce graduate, Raja was always fascinated by martial arts but sought something beyond karate and taekwondo. He was drawn to choreography, especially with weapons, which led him to discover Pencak Silat—a full-body combat form incorporating strikes, grappling, throwing, and weaponry. He began his training in 2017, inspired by the sport's inclusion in the 2018 Asian Games.
His dedication took him to Indonesia for an advanced training camp ahead of those Asian Games. Although he did not qualify then, the experience set a benchmark. "That experience showed me the level I needed to reach," Raja recalled. His perseverance paid off with consistent domestic success, including national gold medals in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Golden Milestone at Ghoghla Beach
On Tuesday at Ghoghla Beach in Diu, Raja Das secured one of the first two gold medals of KIBG 2026. He defeated the defending champion and local favourite, Prasanna Bendre, in a significant victory. This gold adds to his silver medals from the Khelo India Beach Games 2025 and the 22nd National Games in Goa, cementing his status as one of India's most consistent Artistic Pencak Silat practitioners.
Raja's medal cabinet also reflects strong international performances:
- Fourth place at the 2018 and 2019 Asian Championships.
- Fifth place at the 2018 World Beach Championships in Thailand.
- Fifth place at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi.
For Raja, this Diu gold is perfect preparation for the upcoming Senior National Championships, which will serve as a qualifier for the 2027 National Games and the international season. "My aim is now to win some medals for India on the international circuit," he stated, expressing confidence in the support from the federation and government. The journey of the ice-supplier's son from Kolkata is now firmly on track for global recognition.
