Street Hawker-Turned-Athlete Wins KIBG 2026 Gold: Pencak Silat Star Raja Das Continues His Remarkable Rise

Diu, Jan 7: Life for 33-year-old Pencak Silat athlete Raja Das has never been easy, but adversity has only strengthened his resolve. When he is not training or competing, Raja works alongside his father

supplying ice to local blood banks in North Kolkata.

His father has spent decades working as a street hawker, and Raja has supported him since childhood while persevering in his pursuit of sporting success.

On Tuesday (January 6) at the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2026 at Ghoghla Beach, Diu, Raja added a new golden chapter to his inspiring journey. The West Bengal athlete stunned local favourite and defending champion Prasanna Bendre to clinch the gold medal in the Tunggal event, one of the first two golds awarded at this year's Games.

A commerce graduate, Raja traces his passion for martial arts back to his childhood. But unlike many who gravitate towards popular forms such as karate or taekwondo, his interest lay elsewhere. "Since childhood, I have always been fascinated towards martial arts, but never truly liked karate and taekwondo. I was more inclined towards choreography, especially weapon choreography, and that's how I landed in the sport," he said. His search for a form that blended technique, rhythm and weapon work eventually led him to Pencak Silat, a full-body fighting discipline that includes strikes, grappling, throws and weaponry.

Raja began serious training in 2017, and within a year, his ambition took him to Indonesia for an advanced training camp ahead of the 2018 Asian Games. That opportunity became a moment of awakening. "At that time, I had just started out and didn't have any international exposure. I couldn't qualify, but that experience showed me the level I needed to reach," he recalled.

However, the same year brought tragedy. Raja lost his younger brother in a train accident in Howrah in 2018-an emotional blow that forced him to shoulder greater responsibility at home. To support his family's financial needs, he doubled down on work, assisting his father and later completing a physical therapy course to earn additional income. "We do what we have to do to support the family. I assist my father in his work, but the income is meagre. My family is fully supportive of my choice, and that's where all the strength comes from," Raja said.

Despite the hardships, Raja's determination never wavered. Over the last few years, he has emerged as one of India's most consistent performers in Artistic Pencak Silat. He won national gold medals in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and claimed silver at the Khelo India Beach Games 2025 and the 22nd National Games in Goa. His international performances have also been commendable, with fourth-place finishes at the 2018 and 2019 Asian Championships, fifth place at the 2018 World Beach Championships in Thailand, and another fifth at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

His gold medal at KIBG 2026 is the latest testament to his perseverance and evolving mastery of the sport. It also serves as ideal preparation for a crucial phase ahead. The upcoming Senior National Championships will act as qualifiers for the 2027 National Games as well as the international calendar.

For Raja, the mission is clear. "My aim is now to win some medals for India on the international circuit and I am confident that given the support I am getting from the federation and the government, that dream will also soon come true," he said.

From helping his father on the streets of North Kolkata to standing on top of the podium in Diu, Raja's journey embodies resilience, discipline and an unyielding belief in his craft. His gold at KIBG 2026 is not just a medal-it is a milestone in a story that continues to inspire.