KIYG 2025: Mangaleibi wins fencing silver, Shanker in tennis final
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 12 2025: T Mangaleibi Devi settled for the silver medal in the women's fencing individual foil after suffering 11-15 score defeat to eventual winner Prachi of Haryana while Shanker Heisnam, the only lawn tennis player representing Manipur, became the first from the state to reach the boys' singles final at the 7th Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025, being held in Bihar.

The tennis competition featured five seeded players as per the All India Tennis Association (AITA) and Junior International Tennis Federation (ITF) rankings.

Shanker began his campaign against Mizoram's K Lallianluanga, winning in straight sets at 6-0, 6-2 .

In the quarterfinals, he faced Hitesh Chauhan of Punjab, ranked No 4 in AITA and also a Junior ITF-ranked player, and one of the favourites.

Defying all expectations, Shanker delivered a clinical performance to win 6-3, 6-3 .

In semi-final Shanker faced seventh seeded Samarth Ujaval Sahita of Gujarat.

After losing the first set 3-6 and trailing 3-5 in the second, Shanker fought back to win the second set at 7-6 .

With momentum on his side and the crowd electrified by his comeback, Shanker quickly took a 3-0 lead in the final set, which ultimately led his opponent to retire from the match.

In the final, Shanker will face fifth seeded Arjun Rathi of Haryana, who is also a Junior ITF-ranked player.

This is the first time that a tennis player from the state has reached the finals of the prestigious KIYG, a tournament widely regarded as the pinnacle of youth sports in India.

Meanwhile, Hemam Malemnganba Singh missed out on a medal after losing in the bronze medal match in badminton boys' singles.

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