- Wrestlers from the Siddi community won three gold and one silver medals.
“Talent needs no introduction”—this adage proved true at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, where wrestlers from Karnataka’s Siddi community made a powerful impression on the mat. Their success isn’t just limited to medals, but symbolizes the entire community’s emergence as a force in wrestling. Approximately 50,000 Siddis of African descent live in India, with a third of them in Karnataka.
Nine wrestlers from Karnataka participated in the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, four of whom were from the Siddi community. Three of these four wrestlers won gold medals, while one won silver. The gold medal winners were Manisha Juava Siddi (76 kg), Rohan M. Dodamani (Greco-Roman 60 kg), and Prinsita Pedru Fernandes Siddi (68 kg), while Shalina Seyer Siddi (57 kg) settled for silver.
The success of these wrestlers not only tells the story of their struggle and hard work, but also highlights the growing dominance of the Siddi community in wrestling. These four wrestlers from Karnataka had their trials at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi and placed first there as well.
Karnataka wrestling team coach Mamta is feeling very proud of the performance of the Siddi community.
Mamata said, “Just as Haryana dominates wrestling in our country, the Ahliyal region also dominates wrestling in our state. The state’s Department of Youth and Development and Center are primarily dedicated to this Siddi community. Their children train here. Recently, the craze for wrestling has increased among the community, and they are now sending their children to wrestling.
Male wrestler Rohan M. Dodamani, from Dharwad district in northern Karnataka, also belongs to this community. Dodamani’s mother works as a cook in a government school, while his father passed away six years ago.
Rohan said, “Small wrestling competitions are held periodically within the Siddi community, and the winners are honored with large prize money. Before winning gold at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, I also participated in the Senior National Championships, the National Games, and the All India University Games.”
To identify the hidden talent within athletes in the country and provide them with a better platform, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry jointly launched the Khelo India Youth Games in 2018. This was followed by the Khelo India University Games and now the Khelo India Tribal Games.
Maha Singh Rao, a member of SAI’s Talent Development Committee, says, “On behalf of SAI and the Sports Ministry, we identify talented children at a young age as part of the government’s strategy to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of hosting the 2036 Olympic Games in India. In addition to the Prime Minister, the Sports Minister, SAI, and we are committed to achieving this dream of winning as many medals as possible in the upcoming Olympic Games.”
Shalina Seyar Siddi, from the Karwar district of Uttara Kannada, said after winning the silver medal in the competition, “People in our community are now taking an interest in wrestling. I started wrestling at the behest of my uncle, and he has been training me since the beginning. I worked hard for this competition, but fate had other plans and I missed out on the gold.”
Prinsita Siddi, who also hails from the Karwar district of Uttara Kannada, Karnataka, said, “Initially, I wasn’t interested in wrestling and cried a lot. But then, gradually, when children from our community started participating, I started practicing too. To reach this level, I practice for two hours every morning and evening. I want to win a medal at the international level, and I’m working hard for that.”
The success of these wrestlers proves that when given the right platform, training and support, talents even from remote communities can reach the pinnacle and shape the sporting future of India.