State karatekans shine at 10th South Asian Karate Championships

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 19 : Four State karatekas won 4 medals for India at the 10th South Asian Karate Championship for Cadet, Junior, Senior and 2nd U14 South Asian Karate Cup 2026  that concluded today at Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium, Dhaka.
Manipur Karatekas who contributed 5 medals to the National tally are Laishram Maninganba Meitei, Paringanba Chingakham, Ph Arif Khan and Thiyam Jeninson Singh, said Manipur Amateur Karate Do Association (MAKA) in a press release.
Laishram Maninganba Meitei won a gold medal in the Cadet -52 kgs Individual Kumite event. He is the son of Laishram Sanjoy Meitei and Lailsheam Lairentombi Leima of Karam Makha Leikai.
Paringanba Chingakham meanwhile won a silver medal in the Sub Junior Under 14 years -45 kgs Individual Kumite competition. He is the son of Chingakham Sanajaoba and Chingakham Dabayanti Devi of Kyamgei.
Ph Arif Khan meanwhile won a silver and a bronze medal. He claimed the silver medal in the Sub Junior Under 14 years; -50 kg Individual Kumite competition and the bronze in the team Kata event. He is the son of Md Heshamuddin and Pitru of Lilong Chingkham Makha. Thiyam Jeninson Singh, was also part of the bronze medal winning Kata team. He is the son of Thiyam Gonao Singh and Thiyam Sunita Devi of Taobungkhok Makha Leikai.
The team were accompanied by Kyoshi Mutum Bankim Singh as an official of the Indian team from Manipur and Officiating Judge during the South Asian Karate Championship 2026.
The team champion title went to Nepal and as India finished runners up, it said.