GUWAHATI: Janmoni Konwar had medals at home, but no home to return to. With floodwater entering her village and her family sheltering under a tarpaulin on an embankment, the 17-year-old had almost given up on the karate championship in Delhi.Then came an unexpected helping hand, and a gold medal around her neck.Travelling through flood-hit upper Assam since July 30 to distribute relief, PhysicsWallah founder and CEO Alakh Pandey met Janmoni’s family at their shelter in Jorhat on Aug 3.He spotted her medals, heard about her ambitions and stepped in. “Pandey sir met my brother Krishnamoni and learnt about me. The next day I met him at our shelter,” Janmoni said.“He arranged my flight tickets and accommodation… He only asked me to perform well.” Janmoni flew to Delhi on Aug 6.She made every bout count, winning all three, including a commanding 10-2 victory in the final, to clinch gold.The class 12 student and national medal winner in 2024 and 2025 had been preparing for the 20th All India Independence Cup Karate Championship 2026.But floods submerged her home on July 19, forcing her family onto a Bhogdoi river embankment. Their home remained 5ft under water.She returned to Jorhat on Sunday, her family is still living on the dyke. “Pandey sir was waiting for me at Dibrugarh airport,” she said.Sharing photographs, Pandey wrote “This is Janmoni’s story. She is the hero. I am only a medium.”“If it hadn’t been me, it would have been someone else. Someone had to step up.” That step turned a flood-forced pause into a podium finish.
