International veteran athlete K Nipamacha passess away, condolences pour in

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 21 : International veteran athlete Kumam Nipamacha, who brought home many accolades and laurels to the State and played a significant role in promoting athletics in the State, breathed his last yesterday at his residence following a personal illness.
He was 87.
Kumam Nipamacha from Moirang Kumam Leikai, took up athletics when he was reading in the 7th standard and excelled in hammer throw and discus throw events. He opened his National level medal account by finishing third in the 5th National Games hosted in Bombay in 1959 before clinching a discus throw gold medal in the 6th National Games held next year.
For his feats in the National level competitions, he earned the title Bombay Nipamacha.
He went on participating in many National level competitions before completing his graduation from DM College in 1966.
At the age of 44, Nipamacha received training at NIS and kept contributing in the field of athletics. He also opened his athletics academy to encourage and groom local athletes.
Nipamacha, who was greatly inspired by American Olympic gold medallist Charlie Jenkins,  added more feathers to his cap winning 6 gold medals at the International Veteran Athletics Meet hosted by Hong Kong in 1998 by topping in the discus throw, shot put, broad jump, triple jump, high jump and hammer throw.
Various sports associations including Athletics Association of Manipur, Manipur Masters Athletics Association, DFA Moirang, local clubs in Thanga, Moirang and Kumbi areas joined in condoling the demise of the legendary athlete.
The associations convened condolence meetings in honour of the veteran athletes today. They also recalled his contributions while paying respect to the legendary figure by observing two minute silence.