State Level Boxing ChampionshipImphal West pip Bishnupur on last day to claim overall team title

IMPHAL, Nov 30 : Imphal West swept gold medals today to race ahead of Bishnupur and clinch the overall team title of the State Level Boxing Championship organised by Manipur Amateur Boxing Association (MABA) at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex from November 22.
In all, Imphal West bagged 21 gold medals, 19 silver medals and 9 bronze medals to emerge on top of the medal tally and claim the overall title trophy sponsored in honour of founder member of MABA, Keisham Irabot.  
Bishnupur, meanwhile, finished overall team runners up with a total of 16 gold, 19 silver medals and 14 bronze medals  to earn the trophy sponsored in honour of late legendary boxer and Padmashree Awardee Ng Dingko.
Imphal East, in the meantime, finished second runners up with a total of 14 gold, 15 silver and 14 bronze medals.
Ngamba Longjam (IW: sub-junior boys 52 kg), Khumanthem Sinthoi Devi (IW : sub-junior girls 52 kg), Tompok Thokchom (Tbl : Junior Boys 50 kg), Venika Yumnam (Bpr : Junior girls 50 kg), Thangjam Leninson (IW : Youth men 60 kg), Melody Kilong (CCPur: youth women 63 kg), Laishram Edison (IW : Elite men's 57 kg) and Babyrojisana Naorem (Tbl : elite women's 54 kg) were adjudged best boxers in their respective weight categories.
Angom Ronald (Bpr : sub-junior boys' 52 kg); Takhellambam Alena (Bpr : sub-junior girls' 31 kg), Md Miraj (Kak : junior boys' 50 kg), Moirangthem Luxmi (Kak : Junior girls' 50 kg), Pembam Suranjoy (Bpr : youth men's 60 kg), Ksh Silky (IW : Youth women's 63 kg), Mangte Loya Kom (Cdl- Elite men's 57 kg) and Grace Chengngaihlian (CCpur elite women's 52 kg) were on the other hand adjudged best losers.
Meanwhile, Ningthoujam Akaba Singh of Imphal East (Sub-Junior boys 43 kg) and Thoudam Merina Devi of Imphal West (Sub-Junior Girls' 31 kg) were, in the meantime, named most promising boxers.
The valedictory function of the championship was graced by Nishikant Singh Sapam, owner of The Sangai Express; T Phulen Meitei, Director Youth Affairs and Sports; Dr Th Arunkumar, Medical Superintendent City Hospital; K (ongbi) Ibeyaima and Ng (ongbi) Babai as presidium members who also handed out prizes to the winners and other participants.
Last day bouts
Imphal West's Huidrom Ambeshori Devi opened up the district team's gold medal account beating L Roshni of Bishnupur 4-1 in the youth women's 57 kg final before Ningthoujam Menaka Devi added another goal beating Surjalata Ningthoujam of Thoubal in the elite women's 60 kg final.
Saikhom Gaitri then fetched Imphal West's third gold medal of the day beating Hmangte Cindy Kom of Churachandpur 5-0 in the youth women's 66 kg final.
Later, Laishram Ronalson beat Laiphrakpam Chandrabose of Imphal East 5-0 for the elite men's 71 kg title; Ningthoujam Jackson beat Oinam Abinash of Bishnupur 5-0 and L Edipak beat Thokchom Amitkumar of Bishnupur in the youth men's 51 kg final.
The day also saw Thokchom Athoibi Chanu of Imphal East beat Alina Khaidem of Imphal West for the sub-junior girls 58 kg title; Kimhoichong of Churachandpur beat Imphal West's Tensubam Sandhyarani 3-2 for the junior girls' 60 kg title; Thoubal's Punshiba Moirangthem beat Chingakham Rajesh of Imphal East 5-0 for the sub-junior boys' 61 kg title; Kakching's Ninthoujam Khambaton beat Maibam Rahul of Imphal East for the youth men's 67 kg title; Hijam Mocha Singh of Imphal East beat Ahanthem Shivraj of of Imphal West for the junior boys' 70 kg title.
Kakching's Leimapokpam Rahul, meanwhile clinched the junior boys 75 kg title beating Thangjam Luckyboy of Imphal West.