From Jamshedpur slum to Asian Games: Joga Purty’s unlikely climb to India’s speed climbing record

Kolkata: When Joga Purty first walked into the climbing wall at JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, she had no idea what sport climbing was.A friend had suggested she tag along, and curiosity brought her there. Nearly seven years later, the 19-year-old from a modest family in Jamshedpur is India’s national record holder in speed climbing and on her way to the Asian Games.Asian Games Full Coverage | Schedule | Medal Tally“I never thought I would get an opportunity to compete at the Asian Games,” said Purty, who will make her debut in women’s speed climbing at the continental showpiece in Japan on Tuesday.“To be honest, my reaction was quite normal. I didn’t know much about the Games then, and I had already travelled for international competitions, so I didn’t think of it as something very different.”The Asiad may be her biggest stage yet, but the teenager’s journey has been anything but straightforward.Her father, Nandu, runs a small shop while her mother, Jhana, works as a domestic help. The youngest among three siblings, it was initially difficult for Purty to convince her family and neighbours that climbing was worth pursuing.“Joga comes from a humble background and grew up in the slum area. In the early days, she would often miss training sessions. I used to visit her home and speak to her parents to convince them to let her come for practice,” said Bibhas Roy, who trained her at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) Climbing Academy before moving to Bengaluru as India’s national coach in 2024.But the turning point came when she won medals in all three climbing disciplines at a national championship before the Covid-19 pandemic. “When my photo appeared in the newspapers, my mother became very proud. After that, nobody questioned my participation anymore,” she recalled.Although Purty initially competed in all three disciplines of sport climbing — boulder, lead and speed — her coaches soon recognised where her true potential lay. “Once we realised she was excelling in speed climbing, we decided to focus entirely on that discipline,” Roy said.The move quickly brought results. Purty announced herself on the international stage by winning a silver medal at 2024 IFSC Asian Youth Climbing Championships.Since then, she has represented India at World Championships and 2026 Asian Climbing Championships, while repeatedly lowering her own national record. Her current national mark of 7.37 seconds sealed her place in India’s Asian Games squad.Ahead of the Asian Games, Purty spent two months training in Indonesia before attending a camp in Thailand. While Roy admits Purty’s timings did not improve as much as expected during the latest overseas stint, he remains convinced that her best days lie ahead.“Her biggest strengths are her natural power and explosive speed. If she continues training properly and remains disciplined, I believe she can break into the six-second range within the next year,” he said.Climbing is also an expensive sport and for Purty, support from the Tata Steel Adventure Foundation has played a key role in keeping her climbing dream alive. A good pair of climbing shoes costs around Rs 10,000 and typically lasts only three to six months depending on usage. A harness can cost upwards of Rs 11,000, while chalk bags and chalk powder add significantly to the expenses.Competition at the Asian Games, however, will be fierce, with climbers from Kazakhstan, Indonesia, China and hosts Japan among the favourites. Yet Roy believes his protégé has the qualities required to compete with the continent’s best.“She has a very bright future and the potential to qualify for the Olympics one day,” he said.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.