16th Governor's Taekwondo CupUTA retain overall team title with 3444 points

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 15 : Defending champions Union Taekwondo Academy (UTA) were crowned overall team champions of the 16th Governor's Taekwondo Cup organised by the All Manipur Taekwondo Association at Indoor Stadium Khuman Lampak.
UTA amassed 3444 points off 13 gold, 19 silver and 31 bronze medals to claim the overall title as Pakhangbam Taekwondo Academy (PTA) finished overall team runners up courtesy 3190 points on the back of 20 gold, 6 silver and 16 bronze medals in the championship held from May 12 with the participation of 630 athletes from 25 taekwondo units.
The valedictory function of the championship was graced by YAS Minister Govindas Konthoujam ; Speaker, Thokchom Satyabrata and Mayang Imphal AC MLA, Kongkham Robindro and Naoriya Pakhanglakpa AC MLA, S Kebi as dignitaries who also distributed prizes to the winners and participants.
As a part of the programme, the overall team champions of the previous edition of the cup held in 2019- UTA (17 gold, 22 silver and 27 bronze) and overall team runners up National Sports Academy (17 gold, 14 silver and 16 bronze) were also feted with cash prizes.
Speaking at the occasion, YAS Minister Govindas promised to present a sensor for recording points to the All Manipur Taekwondo Association. The Minister also assured to extend all possible assistance to the association from his discretionary fund.
Last day bouts
N Moramba of ASTA bagged the junior boys 27 kg category gold beating S Imoba of Thoubal in the final as PTA's Thongam Tulajit claimed the 32 kg category gold overcoming ASTA's T Khagemba.
Sub-Junior girls' 24 kg category gold went to Linthoingambi Lourembam of PTA as she beat Yaisana Takhellambam of UTA in the final while Khwairakpam Chanbi of KANGLA bagged the 29 kg category gold beating Yaichenbi Khangembam of BTA.
NSA's Nitesh Waribam (49 kg) and N Tomba (57 kg) were able to fetch cadet boys gold medals beating ICLTA's N Malemnganba and HTA's Ch Nikhal respectively.
Jesica RK of CTI meanwhile beat Soma Nongmai- them of UTA for the cadet girls 44 kg category gold as N Rebeca of NSA sealed the cadet girls 51 kg category gold beating Kangjam Taniya of IMRTA in the final.
In the junior boys 59 kg category final, M Yaikhomba of SAI-RC beat E Rakesh of NSA to clinch the gold medal while Thouna Mangang of Marjing won the 78 kg category gold medal beating Toijam Bijen of Bashikhong.
Hafiz Khatun of NSA in the meantime sealed the junior girls' 52 kg category title beating Laishram Lucky Chanu of NSA as Irengbam Chinguleima of NSA lifted the 68 kg category gold medal.
M Pareihanba of UTA won the senior men's 68 kg category gold as he beat N Wilson of SAI-RC in the final as W Arson of Nambol bagged the 87 kg category gold beating UTA's Toijam Tondonsana.
UTA swept the medal tally in the senior women bouts with Binita Laishram beating S Lamnganbi for the 57 kg category title in an all UTA final while Maibam Jalika took home the 73 kg category gold medal.