Ethnic strife hit coach inspires Manipur National Sub-Junior Wushu crown, feted
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 04 2024:
Manipur is yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel since ethnic clash broke out on May 3 last year but sporting spirit in the State has not diminished yet.
From winning medals at Asian Games and finishing 7th at the 37th National Games held last year to clinching 3rd consecutive overall champions title at the 3rd North East Games, Manipur athletes continue to maintain their dominating position in the field of games and sports in the National and International arena.
Manipur also recently returned as the overall champions of the 23rd SubJunior National Wushu Championship which was held from March 26 to 31 at Jammu University under the guidance of Taolu coach and Physical Education Teacher Angom Sanathoibi Chanu of Sugnu Turel Wangma Napat Makha Leikai in Bishnupur District whose house was razed to ground during the ethnic clash.
Sanathoibi, who became India's first ever medallist (bronze) at the 3rd World Junior Wushu Championship-2010 is the daughter of late Angom Kali Meitei and Angom ongbi Sangaijaobi.
Recognizing her unyielding spirit and guidance, Sanathoibi, who currently lives in a house of her friend, was accorded a warm reception by the students and parents of Eagle Wushu Academy, Loitang Khullen which has also produced three medallists at the recently held National championships and Khelo India competition.
Notably, Sanathoibi runs the academy and three athletes of the academy- Koijam Tamphaton, son of Koijam Krishna (Khelo India-Nanquan Silver); Koijam Lanchenba (Sub-Junior Nationals Group C- 2 silver and one bronze), son of Koijam Bikramjit and Bebina Angom (Sub-Junior Nationals- Sanda 48 kg bronze), daughter of Angom Sibananda Singh won medals at the championship.
Speaking at the occasion, Sanathoibi said she is always happy to contribute to State's performance as a coach after having contributed more than 60 medals to Manipur and India's tally during her illustrious National and International career.
Besides being a Physical Education Teacher at YAS, she has been constantly working towards promoting Wushu in the State from grassroots level and her works have bore fruit as many athletes from her academy continue to bring home medals and even got Central Government jobs, said Sanathoibi who holds an MA degree educationally and Grade A degree in Bachelor of Physical Education course (2022) .
The dual gold medallist at the 34th National Games held in Ranchi in 2011, maintained that she has been providing guidance to athletes at her academy by providing all possible equipment from her side.
The emotional coach who is also a certified National wushu judge, said she lost her house at the height of the ethnic conflict.
The crisis has taken away my home, but it has not taken away by spirit to serve the State in every possible way, she said.
Sanathoibi also went on to pay respect to her mentors Mayanglambam Biramani, M Amitkumar, M Sachidananda, Thokchom Lalitchandra and seniors who have played an immense role in shaping her career.
She is happy to become a teacher and all credits go to the mentors, she said.
Mention may be made that Manipur emerged overall champions at the 23rd SubJunior National Wushu Championships with as many as 18 gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze medals.
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