MMA champ Chungreng gets rousing welcome
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 04 2024: MMA fighter Chun greng Koren (26) alias 'The Indian Rhino', who defended his bantamweight title at the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) 15 held at Noida Indoor Stadium, Uttar Pradesh on August 31, was given a rousing welcome at Imphal Airport on Wednesday by Koireng Youth Club (KYO), Kamu Koireng Village Authority and youths of Koireng tribe.

It may be mentioned that Chungreng, son of (late) Seakthang Koren and Neisem Koren of Kamu Koireng village under Saikul assembly constituency, had appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to come to Manipur and resolve the ongoing crisis in the state, after winning the interim bantamweight title at MFN 14 on March 9 .

In the title bout in UP, Chungreng beat Kantharaj Agasa of Karnataka on technical knockout (TKO) in the second round to wrest the title of MFN 15 Interim Bantamweight World Championship.

Speaking to media persons in connection with the reception programme, KYO information & publicity secretary RT Sonrang Koireng expressed that the victory is not only for Chungreng Koren but also a huge achievement for Manipur and entire Northeast India.

He continued that Chungreng is the first MMA fighter from Manipur to win in the country's biggest MMA platform MFN, while recalling that he had defeated Angad Bisht in MFN 7 on December 12, 2021; Aman Saini in MFN 8 on April 1, 2022; Manish Mahanta in MFN 11 on March 31, 2023 and Chaitanya Gavali in MFN 12 on July 1, 2023 .

Though born in poor family, Chungreng through hard work and dedication has brought laurel for the state, maintained Sonrang and appealed to the government and authority concerned to extend support to continue bring more laurels in the future.

He also expressed pride that Chungreng through his achievements has uplifted the small Koireng community to higher status.

On the other hand, Chungreng said that the recent victory is a big turning point as he reached this stage after 15 years of relentless hard work and encouragement from the public.

Emphasising that perseverance always pays, he also thanked all Manipuri youths who without any difference of hill or valley supported him on the day of the championship bout.

Chungreng further observed that youth of NE, Manipur in particular are highly skilled and explosive in MMA sports, but tend to fail due to infatuation for fame at the start of their career.

If persevered there is no one to defeat 'Kangleipak', he asserted.

Later, a felicitation programme was organised for Chungreng at Little Bird English School Compound, Andro Khunou Torongthel which was attended by KYO president RN Koireng, AMU-CO president Ph Nando Lu-wang, Andro Khunjao 'Khullakpa' Sh Chandra Meitei, Kamu Koireng village chief RT Yangreng Koren and Integrity Park president Ch Tombi as presidium members.

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