Sarungbam Athouba, Telheiba Soram give Manipur flourishing start at Uttarakhand National Games
Source: The Sangai Express / MOA Media Tearn

Imphal, January 27 2025: Manipur's Sarungbam Athouba Meitei and Telheiba Soram gave Manipur a flourishing start at the 38th National Games Uttarakhand with a 1-2 finish in the men's individual triathlon event yesterday at Haldwani.

Sarungbam Athouba Meitei clocked 1:01:01 (1 hour, 1 minute and 1 second) to finish on top of the competition as compatriot Telheiba Soram finished second with a time of 1:02:10.Maharashtra's Parth Sachin Mirage claimed the bronze in a fiercely contested race.

"We're so happy to hear the news.

In fact, Triathlon always gives us medals right from the National Games hosted by the state way back in 1999," said founding Secretary Sapam Mohendro Singh of Triathlon Association of Manipur.

"We're also very positive and hopeful for medals from Duathlon and Mixed relays" .

Echoing a similar sentiment, the Triathlon Association of Manipur functionar and the father of Athouba, Sarungbam Jiten of Chingamathak Pishum Leikai also expressed happiness over the success of his son in the National competition.

It may be mentioned that the 8-member triathlon team led by team manager Laitonjam Bebekananda Singh and Triathlon Coach (NIS) Laikhuram Lenin Singh were the first team from Manipur to leave Imphal for this edition of the games on January 22 .

The team was later joined by Saikhom Mani Singh as technical official from the National capital.

The Triathlon competition which began on Sunday will continue on every alternate day till January 30 .

The triathletes representing the state are Sarungbam Athouba Meitei, Telheiba Soram and Bijenkumar Laikhuram, Nongmaithem Nelshi Devi, Sweety Nongmaithem and Maibam Binita Chanu.

Athouba and Telheiba will also compete in men's Duathlon and mixed relay events while Bijenkumar is the reserve player.

Similarly, Nelshi and Sweety will participate in women's triathlon, duathlon and mixed relay events while Maibam Binita Chanu will be accompanying as a reserve athlete.

The grand opening ceremony of the 38 th National Games will take place tomorrow at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event, further adding to the excitement and prestige of the games.

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