Judoka Linthoi Chanambam returns to hero’s welcome

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 10 : Manipur’s shining Judo star Linthoi Chanambam, who recently scripted another history by becoming first Indian to win a medal at Junior World Championships,  returned to a warm reception from her well wishers and family members as she landed at Bir Tikendrajit International Airport at Imphal.
The 19-year old Linthoi hailing from Mayang Imphal settled for the women’s 63 kg category bronze medal at the Junior World Championships held in Lima, Peru on October 7 by defeating Netherlands’ Joni Geilen in the bronze medal match. Linthoi, who trains at Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Karnataka secured her spot in the tie after coming up through the repechage route after earlier losing to Japan’s So Morichika in the group stage.
Notably, Linthoi rose to fame as she scripted history by becoming first-ever judo world champion from India by winning a gold medal in the  -57kg category at the 2022 Cadet World Championships in Sarajevo.
She also became first Indian to win a medal at the 2025 Berlin Junior European Cup finishing atop in the women’s 63kg category competition.