‘More focused with eye on ’28 Olympics’

On August 28, 16-year-old Linthoi Chanambam created history when she became the first Indian to win gold at the World Cadet Judo Championship. The video of her reaction after defeating Brazil’s Bianca Reis was played in loop on television and social media platforms.

“The media attention is fine but I am more focused now as everyone wants to see me perform even better. I have to live up to that expectation,” the young judoka, who is from Mayang Imphal in Imphal West district, told Sunday Monitor on phone from her hometown.

However, she also confessed that interviews and media interactions are keeping her busy these days and she is barely getting time to train.

Linthoi was not expecting a win on the world podium but she gave her best. “I was so excited and happy after I defeated the opponent. Now, in retrospect, I feel I did everything that is expected of me at the world championship,” she laughed as she talked about her reaction, the video of which went viral.

The northeastern state of Manipur has produced several talented judokas in the past who had won medals in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Championships. However, none had so far made an impact at Olympics or world championships. The teenager, the second of three sisters, has finally taken the state to the world platform with her win in Sarajevo.

Linthoi, who clinched her first medal at the National Championships in 2018, started practising judo in 2014 when she was around 10 years old as combat sports always interested her. “Also, the judo academy (Mayai Lambi Sports Academy) is close to my village. It was convenient for me to pursue the sport,” she informed.

In one of her interviews, Linthoi said she never had girls in her friend circle and would always play football or engage in boxing with the neighbourhood boys. She would also beat them up at times when her prowess was challenged or discriminatory comments were made against her gender. “We are all humans and we all have the capability to do anything we want to. Then why is this gender discrimination? This would really irk me and so I would get into fights with my friends,” she said.

Nonetheless, she describes herself as an introvert who would prefer spending time amid nature to enjoying with friends. She enjoys dancing too.

Despite the beating, her friends are now pouring in to her house to congratulate her for the victory. “They are so proud and it makes me happier about my feat,” the student of Class XI told Sunday Monitor.

Before winning the world championship, Linthoi, who represented India in the 57-kg category, had won gold at the National Sub-Junior and Cadet Judo Championships 2021-22 and the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships in July 2022.

Coming from a humble family, it was not easy for the teenager to reach the pinnacle. Her father, Ch Ibohal Singh, is a farmer and her mother, Sanabam Guneshwori Devi, is a home-maker. Linthoi said her family, especially her father, is her biggest support from the beginning.

Surjit Meitei, the head judo coach at Mayai Lambi academy, knows Linthoi’s family for a long time now. He had seen Linthoi grow up and how she would be interested in sports. He encouraged her to take up judo. “But her father said it would be difficult for him to purchase the sport equipment. So, I offered help. Now, for Linthoi, our academy has national recognition. It is a proud moment for me too,” said the proud coach.

Linthoi has been receiving private sponsorship since 2017 when she joined JSW’s Inspire Institute of Sports’ judo programme. It was then that her current coach, Mamuka Kizilashvili from Georgia, spotted the young talent and took her under his wings to train her in Bellary, Karnataka. The judoka is planning to go back to the southern state mid-September.

Judo is as important to her as her education and Linthoi juggles both with ease. She divides her time between training, which is twice a day, and school tasks. Her younger sister, Jeeny Chanambam, is also training in judo.

The facilities at the local academy, informed Linthoi, are “good and we even get some pocket money”.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, during an interaction with Linthoi and her family, lauded her achievement and congratulated the country’s “brightest prospects on the judo mat”.

The teenaged judoka’s next target is 2028 Olympics and she is determined to put in her best efforts. “But before that, I have to prove my mettle in several national and international championships,” said Linthoi with conviction in her voice. The media glare, it seems, has not wavered the young judoka from her goal.

Sorry state

Manipur is one state in the North East, as well as in the country, that can boast of its sports talents in several disciplines. The state also boasts of high-quality facilities. However, there are stories of and neglect and hopelessness too. E. Surjit Meitei, the head judo coach at Mayai Lambi Sports Academy in Imphal West, rues the sorry state of the sport in the state.

Surjit said despite the academy having two Arjun awardee alumni, it has not received much attention of the state government. The 52-year-old coach, a veteran who started training in judo in 1986, said most of the students are from economically backward families and need support to pursue the discipline. However, the academy barely gets any sports aid from the state. The Judo Federation of India has extended some help.

“Academy toh sirf naam ka hai (it’s only a titular academy). Facilities are not great. This is despite the fat that two of my students — Angom Anita Chanu (2004) and Khumujam Tombi Devi (2008) — are Arjun awardees and have represented India in the Olympics,” Surjit informed.

“The state government keeps talking about help but nothing is happening in reality,” he added.

~ Team Sunday Monitor