Amareswar Swain: India's Jiu-Jitsu Champion won multiple Gold Medals, now Works as a Daily-Wage Labourer to Survive

For years, Amareswar Swain's life revolved around the jiu-jitsu mat. The 33-year-old from Jangarh village in Puri, Odisha, travelled across India and abroad, winning medals and representing his state and country.

Today, the multiple-time national gold medallist finds himself far away from the sporting arena - working in the fields as a daily-wage labourer to make ends meet.

"Ever since then, I haven't visited them or attended my training. I am currently living like a daily wage labourer, working out in the fields," Swain tells MyKhel.

His achievements tell the story of an athlete who has repeatedly fought his way through adversity. Swain won gold at the 2024 Jiu-Jitsu National Championship in Dehradun in the adult category, with his certificate recording the -56kg class. The Odisha government subsequently awarded him a cash prize of Rs 30,000 for his national championship gold.

He successfully defended his national title in 2025, winning another gold in the adult -56kg category at the National Championship in Saharanpur.

His journey then took him to the international stage. At the 2025 World Championship in Thailand, Swain reached the quarter-finals and finished fifth in the contact category, according to competition records.

Amareswar once Floored Pakistan to Win Gold for India

In April 2026, he travelled to Sri Lanka for the Asian Regional Championship South Asia.

At the 2026 South Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Sri Lanka, Amareswar Swain faced Pakistan's Yaseen Umer in the adult men's -56kg category. The official competition schedule confirms their bout. The Indian fighter finished the contest with an armbar, forcing Umer to concede and securing the gold medal. It was a significant victory for Swain on the international stage, coming during a campaign that ultimately saw him crowned South Asian champion in the -56kg category.

The Bike Accident that Changed Everything

In 2017, Amareswar Swain's life changed after a devastating bike accident left him fighting for survival. He says he spent three months on a ventilator after suffering a severe internal injury, with his weight falling to just 24kg. After multiple failed operations, his father complained and changed his doctor.

"Coming back from the brink of death was nothing short of a miracle," Swain recalls. He credits Dr Lalatendu Mohapatra, whose operation gave him the "hope and courage" to return to sport.

The Hardship beyond the Mat

But behind those medals lies a story of extraordinary hardship.

In 2017, Swain suffered a serious bike accident and says he spent three months on a ventilator. His weight dropped to just 24kg. After several unsuccessful operations, he says his father intervened and changed his doctor. Swain credits Dr Lalatendu Mohapatra with eventually operating on him and giving him the chance to return to sport.

And he also claims the money that was promised by the Odisha government hasn't yet been credited.

"Two years ago, the state government used to reimburse all our expenses like hotel and tickets in advance, and they also arranged a camp before the nationals. And then, when we returned after winning a medal, we were honoured and also received some prize money. It has been almost a year since the National Championship ended, but I have not yet received any reimbursement for expenses, the medal, or the prize money and rewards that are given after winning," he says in a heavy voice.

Swain says he and his coach Biswadev Pattnaik and elder brother Mihir Ranjan repeatedly approached companies and individuals for sponsorship. Many declined, while some who initially promised help eventually withdrew.

On one occasion, he says, his father sold village land just three days before his departure to arrange the money required for his participation.

The financial difficulties have forced him to take loans. He is still waiting for reimbursements and rewards connected to competitions, and continues to fall into a deeper financial gorge. He and his father have been working in neighbouring fields and earn around 300-400 Rs a day to make ends meet. On top of that, multiple loan burdens have further reduced his income.

"I am currently dealing with financial stress from personal loans, but my ultimate goal is to clear it and represent India on the big stage."

That ambition has not disappeared. His record sheet lists achievements across jiu-jitsu, MMA, boxing and kickboxing, including national medals in multiple disciplines.

Yet the athlete who once stood on podiums representing India is now working in fields in his village. For Swain, the fight has simply moved outside the mat.

He survived a near-fatal accident. He rebuilt himself. He won national championships. He competed at a World Championship and won medal for the nation. Now, he is asking for help to keep his sporting dream alive.