Life rarely moves in a straight line, and for Indian wushu star Naorem Roshibina Devi, 25, the road to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya was paved with enough turns, twists and detours that would leave anybody dizzy with anxiety, doubt, and heartbreak.

In early June, Roshibina, the two-time Asian Games medallist left the national camp in Patiala for her hometown in Manipur after a trial defeat. With her name absent from the initial squad, the dream of a third consecutive continental medal seemed over. Yet, instead of letting despair take over, Roshibina chose to hang in there. She kept her boots laced, training relentlessly at home in the hope of an opening.