Manipur’s Linthoi Chanambam creates history

Manipur’s rising judo star Linthoi Chanambam has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian ever to win a medal at the Junior Judo World Championships, clinching a bronze medal in the women’s 63 kg category in Lima, Peru, on Monday.
Linthoi, who hails from Manipur, defeated Joni Geilen of the Netherlands in a hard-fought bronze medal bout to secure India’s maiden podium finish in the prestigious championship. The 19-year-old reached the repechage round after an early loss to Japan’s So Morichika but displayed remarkable composure and determination to fight her way back.
The match saw Linthoi initially penalised for blocking, yet she turned the momentum in her favour with a brilliant tomoe-nage throw, forcing her opponent onto the defensive. In the decisive moments, Linthoi executed a precise hold-down technique, earning an ippon and sealing her historic victory.