Kolkata: At a time when Manipur For more than two months engulfed in violence that has left hundreds dead and thousands rendered homeless, judokas from the angry state were able to bring smiles to the faces of those living in refugee camps or locked in their homes.
Deven Moirangthemwho coached Olympian judokas L Brajeshwari Devi Also Shushila Devi Likmabam is one of those who have been able to find joy in what accomplished Manipuri judokas have achieved recently. National Cadet Judo Championship Held at Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka.
except Linthoi Chanambamwho won the gold medal in the 63 kg category, three others won the yellow metal in their respective weight categories. The tournament, which ran from July 7-9, had Nungshithoi Chanu (52kg) and Deepapati Devi (70kg) among women, while Wangthoi Meitei topped the podium in the men’s 66kg category.
Apart from the four gold medallists, H Olivia (44kg) and TH Malotti (48kg) finished second, while Roni Devi got a bronze medal in 57kg.
‘Our Mongoloid origin gives us an edge’
However, Deven believes that the game needs better financial support from the government if players are to perform well at the senior level. “Our sport is very different from cricket or football. Even a district level footballer can earn a lot, but there is no such scope of earning in judo. That’s why we are very good at junior and sub-junior level. But we struggle after that.” Deven told TOI during a telephonic conversation from Imphal.
The 54-year-old coach, who has been associated with the sport for nearly 26 years, trained at SAI for eight years and has also been a part of national camps. In addition, he was sent by the Union Sports Ministry to train in Germany for six months, then also to the University of Tsukuba in Japan and the University of Birmingham to train as a coach. Asked what makes Manipur’s judokas so good, Deven gave several reasons.
“First, we have a warrior-like attitude. Second, the high altitude helps us build better stamina. Then we have a wrestling-like traditional sport called mukna and it’s very popular. Our Mongolian origin also gives us an edge.” Yes, said the coach.
“Also, the people of Manipur are very proud of their sportspersons. When they come back after winning medals, they get a lot of love and respect and it acts as a motivation. After all, since we have anything good Be it factories or big companies, anyone who wants to get a good job has to go through sports and people try to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Deven, who is currently associated with the Manipur sports department as well as the state’s judo federation, also runs two coaching centers – one in Imphal and the other in Thoubal.
He believes the country will get another Olympian judoka in Linthoi, who won gold at the World Cadet Judo Championships and by doing so became the first Indian to win a medal in any age-group tournament.
Deven said, “We have high hopes from her. According to her level, her ability, her attitude and her interest in judo, one day she will definitely become an Olympian.” As for Linthoi, the 17-year-old was very happy with her performance in Bellary and is looking forward to another good show in the upcoming World Championships.
“This tournament gave me an opportunity to test myself ahead of the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia in August. I hope to carry the momentum I gained from this tournament there,” she said in a release.
Hopefully she will be able to do so and considering the high expectations that Deven has from her, it will not come as a surprise but it will definitely be another landmark achievement.
Deven Moirangthemwho coached Olympian judokas L Brajeshwari Devi Also Shushila Devi Likmabam is one of those who have been able to find joy in what accomplished Manipuri judokas have achieved recently. National Cadet Judo Championship Held at Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka.
except Linthoi Chanambamwho won the gold medal in the 63 kg category, three others won the yellow metal in their respective weight categories. The tournament, which ran from July 7-9, had Nungshithoi Chanu (52kg) and Deepapati Devi (70kg) among women, while Wangthoi Meitei topped the podium in the men’s 66kg category.
Apart from the four gold medallists, H Olivia (44kg) and TH Malotti (48kg) finished second, while Roni Devi got a bronze medal in 57kg.
‘Our Mongoloid origin gives us an edge’
However, Deven believes that the game needs better financial support from the government if players are to perform well at the senior level. “Our sport is very different from cricket or football. Even a district level footballer can earn a lot, but there is no such scope of earning in judo. That’s why we are very good at junior and sub-junior level. But we struggle after that.” Deven told TOI during a telephonic conversation from Imphal.
The 54-year-old coach, who has been associated with the sport for nearly 26 years, trained at SAI for eight years and has also been a part of national camps. In addition, he was sent by the Union Sports Ministry to train in Germany for six months, then also to the University of Tsukuba in Japan and the University of Birmingham to train as a coach. Asked what makes Manipur’s judokas so good, Deven gave several reasons.
“First, we have a warrior-like attitude. Second, the high altitude helps us build better stamina. Then we have a wrestling-like traditional sport called mukna and it’s very popular. Our Mongolian origin also gives us an edge.” Yes, said the coach.
“Also, the people of Manipur are very proud of their sportspersons. When they come back after winning medals, they get a lot of love and respect and it acts as a motivation. After all, since we have anything good Be it factories or big companies, anyone who wants to get a good job has to go through sports and people try to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Deven, who is currently associated with the Manipur sports department as well as the state’s judo federation, also runs two coaching centers – one in Imphal and the other in Thoubal.
He believes the country will get another Olympian judoka in Linthoi, who won gold at the World Cadet Judo Championships and by doing so became the first Indian to win a medal in any age-group tournament.
Deven said, “We have high hopes from her. According to her level, her ability, her attitude and her interest in judo, one day she will definitely become an Olympian.” As for Linthoi, the 17-year-old was very happy with her performance in Bellary and is looking forward to another good show in the upcoming World Championships.
“This tournament gave me an opportunity to test myself ahead of the World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia in August. I hope to carry the momentum I gained from this tournament there,” she said in a release.
Hopefully she will be able to do so and considering the high expectations that Deven has from her, it will not come as a surprise but it will definitely be another landmark achievement.