Govt showers praises, cash on judo champ Linthoi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 31 2022: World cadet judo champion Linthoi Chanambam was handed Rs 10 lakh reward from the side of state government and another sum of Rs 2 lakh by chief minister N Biren Singh during a felicitation function hosted by the chief minister at his secretariat office, here on Wednesday.

Linthoi Chanambam scripted history when she won the first ever gold medal for India in world cadet judo championship held some days back at Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

She won the gold medal in the 57kg category (girls) of the championship.

Elated over Linthoi's feat, chief minister N Biren handed over Rs 10 lakh reward and a memento to the world judoka champion from the government's side and Rs 2 lakh personally.

Linthoi's father Chanambam Ibohal, mother Guneshori, Linthoi's coaches, teachers of Mayai Lambi Sports Academy, CAF & PD minister L Susindro, Mayang Imphal MLA K Robindro, Thanga MLA T Robindro and Moirang MLA Th Shanti were present when the CM handed the state government's Rs 10 lakh reward to Linthoi.

Satisfied with the felicitation by the chief minister, Linthoi said that she expected to a win medal at the world cadet championship as she had worked hard.

She also said that encouragement from the government gives more strength to her and she can now focus on winning gold medal in the Olympics.

On the sidelines of the felicitation, Mayang Imphal MLA K Robindro told media persons that chief minister N Biren has assured of constructing hostel for both boys and girls at Mayai Lambi Sports Academy and this indeed is contribution of Linthoi after she brought laurel for the state and country.

He also assured of extending every possible help and assistance to Linthoi in her future career.

On her arrival at Imphal airport on Tuesday, Linthoi was accorded a rousing reception by Mayai Lambi Sports Academy, judo lovers, well-wishers and Thanga MLA T Robindro.

The 15-year-old judoka took the gold after she finished number one at the podium in the women's 57 kg contest Sarajevo championship.

She is the first world champion from India across any age group in judo.

In July, she won a gold medal at the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo championship 2022 in Bangkok.

Linthoi first showed glimpses of her talent when she won gold at the sub-Junior National Championships in 2018 .

Born to a farmer parents residing in Mayang Imphal and one of three daughters, Linthoi is one of the few judokas from the country to be part of the 'Target Olympic Podium (TOP)' scheme, a flagship of the Union Sports Ministry.

The TOPS programme is primarily meant for elite athletes, considered Olympics medal prospects.

For the last five years, the young Judoka has been training hard under the head coach Mamuka Kizilashvili, one of Georgia's top coaches in Judo, at the JSW-Inspire Institute of Sports in Bellary, Karnataka.

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