3rd North East Games : Manipur on roll, crowned overall champions for third successive time

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 23 : Manipur stamped its dominance and  authority in the field of games and sports as they retained overall team champions title for the third time by adding 52 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze medals at the third edition of the North East Games hosted by Nagaland from March 18.
Hosts Nagaland followed closely to finish first runners up  with 48 gold, 42 silver and 44 bronze medals while Assam finished second runners up with 43 gold, 44 silver and 52 bronze medals.
Final Day highlight
Manipur edge Mizoram 2-1 in football final
Manipur fought from a goal down to seal a 2-1 comeback win against Mizoram in a high-octane gold medal match of the 3rd North East Games football at NAPTC ground, Chumukedima.
 Mizoram, who had beaten Manipur 4-0 in a group stage encounter, started confidently and drew first blood with Isaak making the most of a chance from inside the box in the 41st minute and held off relentless Manipur for a better portion of the games.
They looked comfortable until Maibam Deny's header off a corner kick deflected into the net in the 74th minute to make it 1-1 amidst the continuous chant- "Mizoram Jitega, Manipur Haarega" from Mizoram fans.
Mizoram struggled to mount their way back into the game after the leveller but did not materialize. Manipur also kept troubling Mizoram custodian in this high intensity face off with a barrage of shots that went wide.
Manipur's  relentless effort however yielded results late in the 88th minute when Sanathoi cut his way into the box from the right flank connecting a pass from the midfield and cracked a powerful shot into the top corner to complete the turnaround.
On the back of Manipuri fans' "Manipur Emana Yaiphare" cheer, Manipur soaked up all late pressure to see out the game 2-1 and deservedly claimed the gold medal.
Lawn Tennis : Manipur win 5 gold, 1 silver
It was a flourishing day for Manipur in Tennis as the State bagged as many as 5 gold medals and one silver at Tennis Complex, Kuda village in Dimapur.
Manipur bagged a gold medal in the men's team event with a 2-0 beating of hosts Nagaland as Luikham Jennifer clinched the women's singles gold beating her Assamese rival Justina Borgohain comfortably 6-0, 6-0 in the final.
Jennifer Luikham also combined well with Nongmeikapam Charmie to clinch the women's doubles title of the games with a 6-3, 6-7 (3) win over Assamese pair of Tania Kumari and Soni Prajapati in the final.
Meanwhile, Manipur's Haobam Bushan sealed the fourth gold medal as he overcame Khate Vilasier of Nagaland 6-4, 6-2 in the final. Bushan also went on to win the men's doubles gold medal with Bhicky Sagolshem as they carved out a 6-4, 6-2 win over Khate Vilasier and Whourie Keneisezotuo of Nagaland in the final.
Athletics : Manipur end campaign with 10 medals
Manipur ended the athletics campaign in the games with 3 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals. The last day of the games saw Manipur's cross country team seal the third gold medal in the discipline. Kh Romajit also won his third medal in the games by finishing third in the individual competition with a time of 32 minutes and 50 seconds.
Wrestling : Manipur emerge overall champions
Manipur were crowned overall team champions yesterday in the 3rd North East Games Wrestling adding as many as 6 gold 4 silver medals to the State's tally.
Luwang Chanu Sophiya (55 kg), Potshangbam Lingjenthoi (59 kg), Luwang Chanu (53 kg) and Senjam Chaoba Chanu (57 kg) claimed gold medals as Khangembam Leichan Chanu (50 kg) settled for a silver medal yesterday to help women's team seal the champions title.
Meanwhile, Moirangthem Taibanganba (70 kg) and Khundrakpam Nilbir (65 kg) bagged gold medals in men's competition as Ifran Alam Khan (61 kg), Sanjrabam Henthoiba (74 kg) and Laishram Aje (79 kg) settled for silver medals to help men's team emerge champions.