Manipur's medal tally in National Games reaches 11; S Athouba scripts history

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jan 30: With young Wushu masters and athletes winning more medals on Day 3 of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand, Manipur's medal tally has swollen to 11 comprising 6 gold and 5 silver.
Just as Wushu has earned Manipur a bunch of medals already in the Games, the State athletes too have a good start.
Sarungbam Athouba Meitei, who earned the first medal for Manipur in the Games has scripted history after winning his second gold medal today.
Sarungbam Athouba Meitei had won Manipur a gold in the Men’s Individual Triathlon.
He secured his second gold in the Men’s Individual Duathlon.
Athouba’s compatriot, Telheiba Soram too bagged a silver in Men’s Individual Triathlon as the State team emerged champion.
Oinam Malemnganbi (Taijiquan), Tongbram Saya Chanu (Women’s Changquan), Konjengbam Luxmi (Women’s Nanquan) and Bonish Yurembam (Men’s Nanquan) have won one gold medal each in Wushu competitions.
Yumnam Rikimbala (Women's  Nandao), Marshal Salam (Men’s Changquan), Khaidem Panthoi (Women’s Changquan), Hanjabam Langlentombi (Women’s Nanquan), Marshal Salam and K Panthoi Devi have won Silver medals in Wushu events.
Meanwhile, Sarungbam Athouba Meitei's double gold was celebrated at his home at Singjamei Chingamathak in Imphal.
Ecstatic, his Coach L Lenin said, "I'm so happy for Athouba and proud. Winning a gold medal in the first edition of Duathlon event is an achievement. Winning the second gold in the Individual Triathlon is a big big achievement."
Overwhelmed, parents were all praise for those who groomed and trained Athouba.
"My son is successful because of his teachers, Gurus, coaches and mentors. All the credit goes to them. We just support him in his quest," said Sarungbam Jiten, the elated father.
"As parents, we would like to request sports bodies and associations to organise regular competitions and tournaments at local and State level to better train our players and hone their skills for more medals and laurels in the future," he added.
Chef-de-Mission, Moirangthem Rajchandra said, "I feel proud of our hero Athouba who created history with 2 gold in 38th Uttarakhand Games, coming out from an unending situation in the State and defeated everyone for Ereibak Manipur. Really proud of him."
With inputs from MOA