The Rise of a Warrior: Sukhnath Guria’s Journey of Pain and Purpose)
The village of Tirla in Khunti had always been wrapped in simplicity—mud houses, endless fields, and the rhythmic beats of life dictated by nature’s will. But within the confines of this small world, a young boy dared to dream beyond its limits. Sukhnath Guria was merely eleven when he first gripped a wooden hockey stick, its rough edges carving the beginnings of an untold story. He watched in awe as the village seniors sprinted across the ground, their sticks weaving magic with a ball that seemed to dance at their command. In that moment, he saw a gateway—an escape from poverty, a bridge to something greater
2022-Academy National Championship
His family had little to give him, yet their unwavering belief became his strongest armour. They could not afford a hockey stick, but they armed him with hope, with silent prayers whispered into the night. Under the guidance of the village seniors, Sukhnath honed his raw talent, his passion burning brighter with each passing day. His first real test came in 2017 when he stood before the selectors of the Khunti day boarding school. His hands trembled, not from fear, but from the weight of expectation. And when his name was called, he knew—his journey had begun.
Under Coach Junas Mundu’s watchful eye, Sukhnath trained relentlessly. His days were long, his nights restless, yet the hunger in his soul never wavered. Then came the turning point—the trials for Naval Tata Hockey Academy’s (NTHA) second batch. He walked onto the field knowing failure was not an option. When he secured his place at the academy, the world around him shifted. No longer was he just a village boy with a wooden stick; he was now part of something bigger, something extraordinary.
Sukhnath’s Grassroot Coach Mr. Junas Mundu
Day Boarding Ground in Khunti
The transition was overwhelming. NTHA introduced him to an Astro-turf—a surface so alien yet promising. Gone were the dusty mud grounds of Tirla; here, under the floodlights, dreams were sculpted with sweat and resilience. At thirteen, Sukhnath was no longer just playing hockey—he was shaping his destiny. Under the guidance of Coach Manish Kumar and foreign mentors, his game transformed. He learned, he struggled, he rose. His family watched from afar, knowing he was walking a path they had only dared to imagine.
Then came 2019. The Sub-Junior Nationals. A bronze medal. A moment of triumph. But fate, cruel and unrelenting, had other plans. At the Nehru Tournament, as he stood ready to battle for his academy, the news came like a bolt of lightning—his father was gone. The world blurred. His heart shattered. Grief threatened to consume him. Yet, in that abyss of sorrow, a voice echoed—his father’s unfulfilled dreams, his silent wishes for a better tomorrow. Sukhnath wiped his tears, clenched his fists, and stepped onto the field. His father bestowed blessing from firmament. The bronze medal he won that day was more than just metal—it was a tribute, a promise kept.
Time did not slow down for his pain. NTHA stood beside him, his coaches becoming his pillars, his teammates his brothers and he won the 2nd Hockey India Junior Academy National- Gold Medal in 2022. And he fought. He fought when he fractured his finger before the 2023 National Games, sobbing in frustration, fearing the end of his dreams. But warriors do not surrender. Three months later, he was back, his fire unquenched. Selection in NCOE Bhopal was just another milestone in his pursuit of greatness.
Academy National Gold Medal- (Front row 5th from left)
For six years, NTHA had been his battlefield, his sanctuary. He had travelled across the country, played at the national level, carried the weight of expectations, and still, his hunger remained insatiable. He looked up to Coach Manish Kumar, not just as a mentor but as a trailblazer. His mother’s quiet strength and his father’s unseen blessings became the forces that pushed him forward.
Today, Sukhnath wears the uniform of the Indian Air Force, a soldier both on and off the field. Yet, his heart still beats for the game, his dreams still painted in the hues of the Indian Blue Jersey. He is not done. Not yet. For every battle he has fought, every tear he has shed, every drop of sweat that has fallen onto the turf—he carries them as his armor, as proof that even the smallest of villages can forge warriors who refuse to bow to fate.
“Sukhi bhai” as his friends address him has now become a heroic figure. Sukhi is now an epitome of inspiration for his upcoming generation in Tirla, Khunti.
2025-Beighton Cup Runners Up with Air Force Team
