Manipur’s teen judoka says Majlinda her inspiration

Imphal, Sep. 2 (EMN): Manipur’s judoka Linthoi Chanambam who won a historic gold at the World Cadet Judo Championship in Sarajevo and became the first from the country to win a medal in the tournament on Friday said Kosovo’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist in the women’s under-52 kilogram category is her inspiration.

 “Majlinda Kelmendi from Kosovo is my inspiration… She is my inspiration because she is the first Olympic champion from Kosovo. So I feel like one day I can be like her,” said the 16-year-old judoka.

It may be mentioned that Linthoi prevailed over Brazil’s Bianca Reis to finish on top of the podium in the women’s 57kg contest at the Arena Hotel Hills recently.

Linthoi, the second daughter of Chanambam Ibohal and Chanambam Ongbi Guneshori of Mayang Imphal Thana Maning Leikai in Imphal West district, started playing judo when she was just nine and half year old at Mayai Lambi Sports Academy, which had produced many world class judokas including Commonwealth medalists Angom Anita Chanu and Khumujam Tombi.

 “I feel so happy when I see this ground (pointing at the ground). I remember my childhood memory and I used to play here with my friends as I used to roll here. I feel happy and emotional,” Linthoi told reporters on the sideline of a reception function where state Sports minister, Govindas Konthoujam, handed over a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to the young judoka.

When asked about the development of the local training centre at Mayang Imphal, she said, “We need a hostel for boys and girls here. I hope they’ll do something for us, you know and it will help us.”

In November last year, Linthoi struck gold at the National Championships in Chandigarh, followed by another at the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships in Bangkok.