Junior National Boxing team return to rousing welcome

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 13 :   The State contingent who brought home 4 medals from the Junior National Boxing Championships held at Nagpur from April 4 to 11 were accorded a rousing reception by well wishers as they landed today at Imphal Airport.
The State contingent comprising 22 boxers were managed by Kunja Ningthoujam with two coaches- Senjam Suresh and Rajesh.
 Karung Albertson Kom of Mary Kom Boxing Academy won a gold medal at the event as L Mahesh of Premkumar Boxing Academy (boys’ 70 kg), K Suchitra Devi of National Sports Academy, Imphal (girls’ 54 kg) won a silver medal apiece  and Nelson Khwairakpam of  National Sports Academy (boys’ 57 kg) bagged a bronze medal.
Karung Albertson Kom, who clinched the 60 kg category title at the 7th Junior (U-17) National Boxing Championships was accorded a warm reception upon his arrival at Imphal Airport today by United Brothers Sporting Association, family members and well wishers.
The gold medallist at the championship was also felicitated at Kakching Bazar by Kakching Bazar Business Welfare Association en route to his Mantak village home.
He was also accorded a felicitation at Mantak Community Hall by the United Brothers Sporting Association.
Speaking at the occasion, Albertson Kom said that Boxing has been his passion since childhood and joined the Mary Kom Regional Boxing Academy in 2020 to receive extensive training at the academy.
He had earlier settled for a silver medal in the 5th edition of the championship due to height disadvantage and sadly bowed out in the quarterfinals  in the last edition, he said.
“By the god’s grace and his unwavering grit, guidance and support from the family and coaches, I have managed to win a gold medal in the 7th edition,” he said. Seeking continuous support and love from all, Albertson Kom also expressed confidence that he will give his best to pull off a similar feat at the Asian Championship beginning on May 1 in Uzbekistan. Albertson is the youngest son of Karung Sanatomba Kom and Bomnu Kom.