Six Wushu players from Manipur are among the 12 Indian players represented the country in the recently held Batumi Open International Wushu Tournament held at Batumi Sports Palace, Lado Asatiani Street, Georgia from August 3 to August 7. The competition was held with the funding of the Ministry of Culture, Sports And Youth of Georgia and with the support of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.
The 6 players include Langlentombi Hanjabam – nanquan women events, Kangjam Monish – taijiquan events, Jollyson Thangjam-nanquan men’s event, Heishnam Pravabati -52 kg Sanda women, Naresh Nongmaithem-56 kg Sanda men and Thangjam Naocha Meitei-60 kg Sanda men. All players are trained under Maibam Premkumar Singh, Head Coach SAI, National Center of Excellence (NCOE), Takyel, Imphal and Coach Soibam Ashalata Devi.
19 yrs old Thangjam Naocha Meitei, son of Thangjam Basanta Meitei and Thangjam Tombi Devi of Yairipok Yambem Mayai Leikai, Imphal East is persuing BA 2nd semester at Sanskrit College, Nambol. He achieved Gold medal in the year 2020-2021 at Haryana Junior Nationals, Silver medal in 2021 at Senior National Bhopal, Gold medal in 2022 at Batumi Open International Wushu Tournament at Georgia and received the cash award of 15,000 GEL for achieving Gold medal in senior category.
17 yrs old Kangjam Monish Singh is the son of Kangjam Manichandra Singh, a hardworking farmer and Likmabam Mandakini Devi residents of Heingang Makha Leikai, Imphal East. He is the elder son of two brothers. He passed Class 12 from Johnston Higher Secondary School and soon to be a College student. In an interview with this player, he mentioned that he achieved Gold medal (1st) place Taijiquan at All India SAI Inter Regional Wushu Tournament 2017-18, originated by Udhav Das Mehta (Bhaiji) Central Regional Center, Bhopal. He also achieved Silver medal (2nd) place Taijiquan at M.A Stadium Jamu (J&K) from 27th to 31th march 2018 organised by Wushu Association of J&K under the aegis of Wushu Association of India and Silver medal (2nd) place Taijiquan and silver medal (2nd) place Taijijian at Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar Road Phagwara, Punjab from 20th to 25th October 2021,organised by Wushu Accociation of Punjab under the auspicious aegis of Wushu Association Of India. And it was his first time participating an International Tournament at Batumi, Georgia participating Tajiquan events and achieved Gold at Taijiquan and Silver at Taijijian. He expressed his desire to get uplift and appreciate by the State government both financially and spiritually for the International Wushu Players who brought laurels to the state. He started playing Wushu since 2018 and was inspired by his cousin Likmabam Sushila Chanu, Silver medalists at Common wealth, 2022 to come in this field. He also managed both his schooling, tuitions and practice of the sport at his best level.
Hanjabam Langlentombi is the daughter of Hanjabam Jayedev Sharma, a businessman and Khongbrailatpam Kamala Devi, a housewife residents of Wangkhei Ayangpalli, Imphal-East. In an interview with her she told that she completed her Class-12 and soon to persue College. This young girl had participated 44 competitions out of which she got 28 gold medals, 11 silver medals and bronze medals at State level, National level and International level Wu-Shu competitions. She had participated in the Junior Category in the Batumi tournament from SAI Bhopal while other five of them from SAI Manipur. Langlentombi Hanjabam participated in Nanquan women events at Batumi Open International Wushu Tournament and achieved Silver at Nanquan, Gold at Nandao and Gold at Nangun. She had been selected at SAI Bhopal 3 months back. Since the age of 6 she had been playing this sport and was inspired by her two elder brothers who are already in this field. She felt a great experience and joyful participating and achieving at an International Tournament with 13 countries across the globe.
Naresh Nongmaithem, son of Nongmaithem Nabachandra Singh and Nongmaithem Shanti Devi residents of Kumbi Thong Leikai, Bishnupur District, Manipur. At present he is pursuing Class XII at Kumbi College, Kumbi. He achieved 3 gold medals in Sanchou at District Level, State Level and National Level WUSHU Championship before. He achieved Gold at the Batumi Open International Wushu Tournament held recently.
Jollyson Thangjam is the son of Thangjam Jayadeva Meetei and Thongam Mandakini Devi, residents of Khurai Sajor Leikai, Lamlong Bazar, Porompat, Imphal-East. He reads in Class IX at SL. Arena Of Learning, Kongpal Khaidem Leikai, Imphal-East. Jollyson Thangjam participated in Nanquan Men’s event and achieved Gold in Nanquan, Silver in Nandao and Silver in Nangun at the recently held event.
The other participant is Heishnam Pravabati for 52 kg Sanda women and she achieved Silver in the recently held tournament.
A total of 6 Gold, 5 Silver was achieved by these players from Manipur. Welcoming ceremonies were also held by Wushu Committee Manipur and well wishers. Also this is happening for the first time that SAI India sponsored Wushu players for the International Tournament and the players of the said sport need equal encouragement from the government.
News Anchor at ISCOM, and a degree holder in mass communication from the Department of Mass Communication, Manipur University
