Manipur Olympics: Mao girl wins gold in boxing

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Aug. 30 (EMN): A Mao girl from Manipur’s Senapati district won gold in the 54 kg women’s boxing on the last day of the 5-day Manipur Olympic Games 2022 in Imphal on Tuesday.

Genevieve is the daughter of Kh Kolo Mao of Punanamei village in Senapati district.

In her final bout, which was played on Tuesday, she defeated her rival pugilist Thotyola Ronru Shimray of L Phungdhar village under Ukhrul district 4-1. She played three rounds with Shimray who had to contend with a silver medal.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the 19-year-old girl from Mao, who had also won silver in the national championship at Chandigarh in 2018, said she started boxing in 2017 after she was selected by Sports Authority of India during a trial in Imphal in November 2016.

‘Mary Kom is my inspiration,’ she said, adding that she is ‘currently undergoing training with sir Ibomcha’.

Ibomcha is the coach of world champion boxer Mary Kom.

It may be mentioned that in their semi-final bout on Sunday, Genevieve beat Toijam Bhumati Chanu of Bishnupur district, while Shimray defeated Thoudam Prameshwori Devi of Imphal West district. Both players are in 54kg category (youth and elite).

With Genevieve’s gold, Senapati district managed to win 19 medals including six gold, four silver and 10 bronze medals on the fourth and final day of the 2nd Manipur Olympic Games 2022.

The district added six more medals to its tally on Tuesday, with women’s basketball team and women’s volleyball won gold apiece, while L Shepou (men’s 110m hurdles), Tubur Sampar Merina (women’s boxing) and Chiinmuankim Lhouvum (women’s boxing) won bronze each.

On Monday, wushu players- Hrangaolou (48 kg) of Senapati won silver in the 48 kg category while Willington and Loli Rakuyio Sanwibou Challai secured bronze medals in 65 kg and 70 kg categories respectively.

Earlier, the district had won three gold medals in athletics — two gold by H Ngaopulou in 5000 metre (15:47:26 sec) and 10,000 metre (32:55:37 sec) race and one by Kushal Agustus in men’s long jump (6.53m).

The other three silver medallists of the district are H Hriipune (women’s long jump), Taiba Boniface (High jump) and Lovingson (men’s Japanese Judo).

The remaining bronze medals were secured by Rakheveio Limai (Shot put), PS Kholourai (Mukna men 80 kg), Dupola Rong (46 kg women’s Japanese Judo), Dune Joshophine (44 kg women’s Japanese Judo), Willingson (65 kg men’s wushu), and Badminton women double (Veronica Inka and Charaine).