Relief camper wins gold in KI kickboxing
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 10 2024:
Despite her house torched by Kukis in the formative period of the ethnic violence and currently taking shelter in a relief camp, kick-boxer Kongkham Yaisna Chanu of Serou brought laurels for the state by winning gold in the Khelo India (KI) 46 kg category kick-boxing competition.
Yaisna's mother Ranjita currently undergoing treatment at JNIMS after a bullet hit her right thigh during an attack by Kuki militants at Serou on May 27 and 28 told The People's Chronicle that her daughter started kick-boxing training from Novem-ber/December, 2019 under the supervision of instructor Ningthoujam Yaiphaba of Serou.
Yaisna had won many medals including gold in state and national level tournaments and competed at international level in her weight category.
Yaisna wanted to play further and trained hard to take part in higher competitions and win more medals.
"However, Yaisna's dream was shattered after Kukis burnt down our house on May 27 and May 28 and entire members of the family fled while I was hit by a bullet in the attacl by Kuki militants, Ranjita said, adding she got treatment at a hospital in Kakching initially and later referred to JNIMS hospital before the entire family members moved in to Kha Manipur college relief camp.
Due to the ongoing violence, authority of Borni Memorial English School, Pangaltabi took care of Yaisna and kept her at the school's boarding.
After appearing the annual examination, Yaisna returned to Kha Manipur College relief camp on November 23, 2023 .
Her kick-boxing instructor Yaiphaba told Yaisna to take part in Khelo India.
When financial and clothing problems was apprised, Yaiphaba collected small contributions from volunteers of Arambai Tenggol Serou unit and arranged flight ticket and other requirements for Yaisna, Ranjita said adding that her daughter took part the competition by borrowing uniform from her teammates at the competition venue.
Though elated on winning gold medal by her daughter at Khelo India, Ranjita said she is worried as to how her daughter could play further without financial support from family.
Yaisna's father Purnachandra is a truck driver and lone bread earner of the family but the violence has affected his profession.
Ranjita, however, managed to earn meagre money by making 'Kouna' basket and selling the same at relief camp and JNIMS hospital.