On the evening of August 9, 17-year-old Janmoni Konwar returned to her home in Assam with a gold medal around her neck. Just hours earlier, she had stood on the podium in New Delhi after winning gold at the National Karate Championship. But you know what was heartbreaking? There was no homecoming celebration waiting for her. Want to know why? Read on.
Inspiring Story Of Janmoni Konwar
Janmoni’s house in Bhogdoiporia Gaon in the Jorhat district had been flooded by floodwaters on July 19. Since then, her family had been living in a tarpaulin shelter on an embankment, with the floods destroying their home, damaging their fishery and sweeping away ducks and poultry.
The embankment came down around 150 metres from their house, leaving the family with little time to save their belongings. They were able to rescue important documents, along with Janmoni’s medals and prizes. Their buffaloes were moved to safety near the embankment, where the family eventually set up their temporary shelter.
Also Read: Assam Floods: Death Toll Rises To 31; 5.65 Lakh People Affected Across 16 Districts
The loss of their fishery was especially devastating. For nearly three years, the family had been raising fish with the hope of selling them to fund Janmoni’s trip to Delhi for the championship. Talking to a social media influencer, Alakh Pandey, Janmoni’s elder brother Krishnamoni Konwar said that they had planned to sell the fish and send Janmoni to Delhi for her competition. The floods shattered everything.
Journey For Assam To Gold Medal
Janmoni Konwar started learning karate at the age of five, training at a local club and practising wherever she could, including at home. Her efforts brought her a bronze medal in 2023 and gold in 2025. However, with the floods wiping out the family’s livelihood and disrupting rail services, travelling to Delhi for the 2026 championship seemed almost impossible.
Help arrived when Alakh Pandey, founder of Physics Wallah, learnt about her situation while supporting flood-relief efforts in Assam. He sponsored the team’s journey to Delhi and back, arranged accommodation and provided the family with ₹3 lakh. Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita also extended ₹10,000 in assistance.
Despite everything happening around her, Janmoni continued training on the same embankment where her family was living. Eventually, she made it to Delhi and returned as a national champion. Janmoni showed up at Dibrugarh airport on August 10 and went back to the makeshift shelter that is now home. Much of her family’s life has been washed away, but her gold medal remains.
Also Read: Northeast India Gets 1st MEMU Train Between Assam & Tripura; Route, Travel Time & Deets Here!
For Janmoni, the championship is more than a sporting victory. It is proof that the floods could take away her home and livelihood, but not the determination that carried her to the top of the podium.
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/Alakh Pandey
FAQs
Who is Janmoni Konwar?
Janmoni Konwar is a 17-year-old karate athlete from Assam who won a gold medal in Ashihara karate at the 20th All India Independence Cup Karate Championship in Delhi.
Who is a famous karate champion in India?
Alisha Choudhary is a trailblazing karate champion in India who made history by winning the gold medal in the Women's Kumite.
Is karate legal in India?
Yes, practicing, teaching, and learning karate is completely legal in India.
