Odisha's talented ju-jitsu practitioner Anupama Swain is determined to rewrite her Asian Games story after a disappointing debut two years ago. The athlete, who suffered elimination in her very first match at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, has now set her sights on qualifying for the next edition scheduled in Japan's Aichi Prefecture next year.
From Asian Games Disappointment to World Championship Glory
Swain's maiden Asian Games appearance in Hangzhou ended prematurely when she succumbed to China's Miao Jie in the round of 16. Compounding her challenge was a viral fever that prevented her from performing at her peak. The defeat proved particularly bitter as her Chinese opponent went on to claim the silver medal in the competition.
However, the determined athlete has bounced back impressively, claiming a silver medal at the World Ju-jitsu Championships held in Thailand earlier this month. Competing in the contact category, Swain demonstrated her growing prowess before settling for second place after losing to Ukraine's Daria Honcharenko in the 52kg final.
The Road to Asian Games Qualification
Qualifying for the Asian Games requires Swain to deliver a strong performance at the Asian Championships. Her long-time coach Hari Prasad Pattanayak, who has been training her since 2013 at Utkal Karate School in Bhubaneswar, identified the key area needing improvement. "She doesn't need any physical training because she is quite strong, but she needs some skill. And to develop the combat skill, she needs many partners," Pattanayak revealed during an interaction.
The lack of adequate training partners in India has prompted her coach to plan overseas training. "I'm planning to send her to the Roger Gracie Academy in London or to Dubai to train under Rogerio de Lima. There are lots of fighters there," said Pattanayak, who is currently evaluating which location offers more competitive training opportunities ahead of the Asian Championships scheduled for July next year.
Balancing Multiple Roles and Challenges
Swain, who also practices karate and powerlifting, maintains a rigorous training schedule despite her professional commitments. Working as a police constable in the sports department, she dedicates five hours daily to training. "My power and strength are my biggest positives that helped me during my bouts but to do well in the future, I will have to train harder," said the determined athlete.
Her recent achievements include winning both bronze and silver medals at the 2024 Asian Championships. The Odisha government recognized her World Championship success by awarding her Rs 1.75 lakh. While acknowledging the challenges, particularly the scarcity of combat partners, Swain remains hopeful about receiving more support. "Those who truly work hard should be enquired about and help should be given as much as possible," she emphasized.
Despite the obstacles, Swain finds solace in the respect she commands as a sportsperson and considers her training academy in Bhubaneswar a second home. Originally from Keonjhar district, this sense of belonging provides crucial emotional support as she continues her journey toward sporting excellence.
