Linthoi Chanambam : First Gold Medalist in Judo :: Profile

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Linthoi Chanambam : First Gold Medalist in Judo

Linthoi Chanambam
Father's Name: Chanambam Ibohal Singh
Mother's Name: Chanambam Guneshwori Devi
Address: Mayang Imphal Thana Maning Khunou

Linthoi Chanambam is the second sibling of the family. She has two other sisters Chanambam Sharmila Devi and Jeeny Chanambam.

The 16-year-old Linthoi, who became the first Indian to win a medal in Judo in the World Championships across any age-group, used to beat up boys while growing up at Mayang Imphal, around 25km from state capital Imphal.

Linthoi Chanambam started playing Judo at Mayang Imphal Sports Academy when she was 13 years old while reading in class IV. She was trained by Angom Surjit Singh, Asem Surchandra Singh (who died during COVID-19 second wave) and Asem Rupachandra Singh at the Mayai Lambi Sports Academy.

Linthoi Chanambam : First Gold Medallist in Judo

During scouting visits in Manipur, Linthoi was spotted by Mamuka Kizilashvili, head coach of the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) Judo programme and joined IIS in September 2017. She has been training under coach Mamuka Kizilashvili from Georgia. Her current coaches are Jiwan Sharma from Himachal Pradesh and Oinam Rasheshwori Chanu from Manipur.

Linthoi's Latest achievement is at the Cadet World Championship held at Sarajevo in Bosnia And Herzegovina. She defeated Brazil's Bianca Reis in the women's 57 kg category event final and scripted history by securing a gold medal. She is the only Indian woman to win this title. Apart from being the reigning Cadet World Champion, She has won many titles earlier.

Linthoi Chanambam : First Gold Medalist in Judo

Achievements:

1. Gold medal in +25 kg category in Sub-Junior Judo National Championships 2016-2017 (Boys and Girls) held at Patna, Bihar from 13th to 17th October, 2016.

2. Gold Medal in 30 kg category in Sub-Junior Judo National Championships 2017-18 (Boys and Girls) held in Warangal, Telangana from 30th September to 4th October, 2017.

3. Gold Medal and Best Judoka in 57 kg category in Sub-Junior Judo National Championships 2018-19 (Boys and Girls) held in Una, Himachal Pradesh from 7th to 11th September, 2018.

4. Participated in the 57kg category in World Judo Junior Championships 2021-22 held in Olbia, Italy from 6th to 9th October, 2021.

5. Gold Medal in 57 kg category in Cadet National Judo Championships 2021 held in Punjab from 7th to 10th November, 2021.

6. Bronze Medal in 57 kg category in Asia Oceania Judo Championships, Cadets-2021 held in Lebanon from 2nd to 5th December, 2021.

7. Silver Medal in 57 kg category in Asia Oceania Judo Championships, Juniors-2021 held in Lebanon from 2nd to 5th December, 2021.

8. Gold Medal in 57 kg category in 4th Khelo India Youth Games 2021 held in PanchKula, Haryana in June, 2022.

9. Gold Medal in 57 kg category in National Ranking and Open Selection Trials for Cadet and Junior 2022 held in IG Stadium, New Delhi from 22nd to 25th June, 2022.

10. Gold Medal in 57kg category in Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships 2022 held at Bangkok, Thailand from 18th to 21st July, 2022.

11. Gold Medal in 57kg category in World Cadet Judo Championships 2022 held at Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina from 24th to 27th August, 2022.

Linthoi Chanambam : First Gold Medalist in Judo

Asem Surjit Meitei, head judo coach at the Mayai Lambi Sports Academy who had trained Chanambam, expressed his firm belief that she would one day stand tall on the Olympic podium. He also appealed to the concerned authority to make way for our young and talented players by providing up-to-date training, improved infrastructure and under a sports policy.

After the historic victory at Sarajevo, Linthoi is now focused on a bright future and like her idol Majlinda Kelmendi, wants to win the gold medal in judo at the Olympics. She wants to be the first Indian woman to win a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games.

She opined that the authorities concerned must train youths from the grass root level so that they bring laurels for the nation. Mid level entry to any event found hard to achieve. Grass root training to the talented youths would make one successful

See a full photo gallery of Linthoi Chanambam here