Spirits high, State Judokas eye "at least 12 gold" in 38th National Games

IMPHAL Jan 23
Enthusiasm ran high among Judokas as they wait for the final throwdown in the mega 38th National Games at Uttarakhand which will open on January 28.
The Manipur Judo contingent having twenty players including thirteen women and five officials are working out modalities for a fruitful performance in the Games at MJA Hall at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex in Imphal since January 16 this year. The Judo event will kickstart from February 9-13 at Dehradun.
Manipur Team Manager, Khumbongmayum Gojendro while talking to MOA Media Team said, “We have started our intensive coaching camp for State judokas since January 16 at the Manipur Judo Association training hall at Khuman Lampak. However one of the major hindrances is that some of the selected players are based or employed outside the State, so we cannot have collective or group practices.”
He, however, added that some of the players belonging to Services, SSB, CRPF are slowly trickling into the camp. "The onus point is that our Judokas are not sitting idle but are having their practice session at institutes like Inspire Institute of Sports in Bengaluru."
"We have expected a higher number of players in qualification but we feel the present twenty lots can do wonders. We have lots of players who had represented India and had a fair knowledge of the winning grips. We are anticipating at least twelve gold medals from this National Games," he added.
The players are currently given diets provided by the Manipur Judo Association. The Government is yet to provide assistance, he said.
“We will continue our intensive training camp till February 6. All the players are in great shape and raring to go under the watchful eyes of our coaching staff including from SAI,” he said.
The State’s selected Judokas in the Men's category are H Bikramjit Singh in +100 Kg, A Kirankumar Singh in 60 Kg, L Jagadish Meitei in 66 Kg, K Bishal Singh in 73 Kg, L Shilakshi in 73 Kg, Th Ningthemba Meitei in 81 Kg and N Sheetal in 90 Kg.
The women Judokas are L Roshni in +78 Kg, M Kabita Devi in 48 Kg, L Monalish in 48 Kg, L Sanatombi Devi in 48 Kg, N Sarah Devi in 52 Kg, L Nganthoi Chanu in 52 Kg, H Matouleibi Devi in 52 Kg, A Anita Chanu in 57 Kg, I Kalpana Devi in 63 Kg, Renubala Devi in 63 Kg, L Bembem Devi in 63 Kg, Nirmala Devi in 70 Kg and M Indubala in 78 Kg.
The five officials who will accompany the State Judokas are Kh Gojendro (Manager), Ksh Lokhendro, Ng Surchandra (Men’s Coaches),Ch Karishma and H Chingkheinganbi (Women’s Coaches).
MOA Media Team