38th National Games of India, Uttarakhand : Manipur fencers, judo team fetch three more medals to help Manipur cap campaign with 55 medals
Source: The Sangai Express / MOA Media Team

Imphal, February 13 2025: Manipur fencers swung their blades to a silver and bronze medal and Judo mixed team bagged a bronze to conclude 38th National Games hosted by Uttarakhand with 55 medals including 14 gold, 16 silver and 25 bronze.

In fencing, the women's epee team comprising M Stella Devi, L Bidyapati Devi, S Chingkheinganbi Chanu and S Nelcyrose lost to Haryana fencers by 30-45 points in the final to settle for the silver medal.

Earlier in the semi-final, the State fencers pulled off a 45-27 win over Chandigarh having beaten Chhattigarh by the same points in the quarterfinal.

Meanwhile, the women's foil team comprising W Sonia, N Mina, Ph Anita and Dayarani N settled for a bronze medal with a 31-45 semi-final loss to Tamil Nadu.

The day also saw the men's sabre team go down by 39-45 points to Services in the quarter final.

38th National Games of India, Uttarakhand

With this, State fencers ended their campaign with 1 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze medals.

Meanwhile, the State judo mixed team got the better of Chandigarh team in the deciding match to grab a bronze medal.

Both the teams were tied in the first round but in the second and the deciding match, Manipur judoka Birkamal defeated his Chandigarh opponent for the podium finish.

In the first round, the Manipur team was represented by Jagdish, Shital, Nirmala, Birkamal, Roshni and Nganthoi Devi.

Judo coach, Surchandra while speaking to the MOA Media Team said, "We had expected at least three/four gold medals but we missed it.

Technically speaking, the players are somewhat disturbed in their mindset on what is happening in Manipur for the past years of turmoil added by lack of practice for the mega event.

We also find the scoring pattern a little doubtful" .

With the mixed team medal, Manipur judokas ended their campaign in this games with 6 bronze medals.

It was however a sad day for State kayakers as they failed to grab any medal today as well.

The State paddlers had participated in the women's 500 m K4, women's 500 m K1 event and men's 500 m K4 event.

Ch Bimola, T Dimita, M Jina, W Roniya represented Manipur in the women's 500 m K4 event as T Dimita participated in the K1 event.

N Nganba, Langthoiba P, L Sanatomba, and N Nibash in the meantime participated in the men's 500 m K4 event.

The Manipur gymnasts also failed to impress the judges as S Ruban Singh had to content with the fifth place in Artistic Vault Table collecting 12.300 points.

On the performances of the State gymnasts this time, Yumnam Ranjan, a technical expert of Gymnastics said, "I am fully satisfied with the performance of our Gymnasts.

Our team consists of 5 senior gymnasts and 3 junior gymnasts.

Among 5 senior athletes, Anjori Pangambam and Leishilembi Chabungbam entered the senior category this year.

They gave their best and they achieved what they deserve" .

"Maliyani Konsam, RK Thoithoilembi Chanu, Huirem Jesika and Mutum Romesh are the debutants and RK Thoithoilembi Chanu is the youngest athlete in the 38th National Games," added Ranjan who is one of the 5 gymnastic coaches from India who underwent FIG Level I Academy course for Artistic Gymnastics.

Informing that Ariha Pangambam became the highest scorer in the games (18.45 points), he further added that State gymnasts have huge potential.

On being asked how she took up gymnastic, gold medallist Ariha, who was named as the "Best Ever Gymnast from India by International Gymnastics Federation experts" said, "Just like any other kids by watching dance and TV shows, I wanted to learn the stunts and all which are the basic of gymnastics and from that I was inspired to join gymnastics" .

She also expressed hunger to compete in bigger competitions like Asian and World Championships and bring laurels to the Country and the State.

Meanwhile, gymnastics' team manager Waikhom Inaocha Singh expressed unhappiness over the lack of financial support to the participating team from the authority concerned.

"We're managing everything right from our journey from Imphal to daily diets on our own so as to support our gymnasts," says Inaocha.

"Now we're requesting the authorities concerned to do the needful" .

Manipur gymnastics coach, Prithilal Singh also echoed in the same vein.