Manipuri Hockey Player Bichu Devi Celebrates Historic Gold

Indian women's hockey player Bichu Devi Kharibam said her team's hard work had finally paid off after India ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold medal with a historic 1-0 victory over China in the final at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. We are overjoyed; we played as a team, and all the hard work we put in has paid off today, Bichu Devi told ANI after the triumph. The Indian women's team stunned fourth-ranked China in a closely contested final, with Lalremsiami scoring the decisive goal in the 10th minute.

Celebrations in Manipur

The historic triumph sparked celebrations in Bichu Devi's hometown of Imphal, with her family members joining in the celebrations after watching India clinch the gold. Bichu Devi's father Romen Kharibam said the tense final had kept the family anxious before the Indian team held on for victory. We are happy as it has brought fame and appreciation to Manipur, he said. Her mother Ibemma Devi Kharibam and brother Shankar Kharibam also expressed their joy over the difficult contest and the team's historic win.