Chief Minister graces closing ceremony of State Taekwondo C’ship, UTA emerge overall champions

OSR/DIPR
Imphal, Feb 11: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today graced the closing ceremony of the 34th Manipur State Taekwondo Championship 2026, at Khuman Lampak Indoor Stadium, Imphal.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that sports not only build physical strength but also cultivate mental resilience and discipline.
He noted that regular practice of the discipline encourages the habit of waking up early, time management, and self-control. It also improves endurance and focus, which are useful in our day today lives, he added. He further stated that the discipline imbibed through martial arts instils honesty, responsibility, and perseverance.
Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, who was attending the event, emphasised that parents and guardians should nurture their children the importance of discipline from an early age to help excel in sports and life.
He urged the authorities to maintain a transparent and unbiased selection process.  He stated that fairness and merit-based opportunities are essential in nurturing talent and producing world-class athletes from the State.
The 4-day championship which was participated by 32 teams reflected the widespread enthusiasm and competitive spirit of Taekwondo across the State.
As part of the event, the Chief Minister distributed prizes to the winners and congratulated all participants for their dedication and spirits.
MLA Thanga AC, Tongbram Robindro Singh; Director, YAS, Dr Mayengbam Veto Singh; president, Manipur Olympic Association, Sunil Elangbam and officials of YAS and others attended the event.
Notably, UTA, Yumnam Leikai emerged the overall champions of the 4-day event with a staggering 4451 points off 18 gold, 25 silver and 37 bronze medals across 8 categories. They were able to secure pole positions in five categories- Sub-Junior Boys’ competition (3 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronze), Cadet Boys’ competition (3 gol, 3 silver and 5 bronze), Senior Men’s competition (2 gold, 6 silver and 4 bronze), Cadet Girls’ competition (2 gold and 6 bronze) and Senior Women’s competition (4 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze).
PTA finish overall runners up on 2405 points off 14 gold, 6 silver and 12 bronze medals as TTS Nambol finished second runners up with 2035 points off 13 gold, 2 silver and 13 bronze medals.
The final day of the championship saw UTA and NSA sharing 2 gold medals apiece to make 1-2 finishes.
Sarina Ningthoukhongjam of UTA defeated NSA’s Keisham Silvia for the U-51 kg category gold as Chenglou Elangbam sealed the U-29 girls gold.
NSA’s Kh Malemnganbi on the other hand clinched the U-55 kg category by defeating LFC’s Richellee Moirangthem in the final after Huidrom Malemnganbi of the same unit beat PTA’s Linthoinganbi in the U-37 kg category final. LTA also secured two gold medals in the cadet girls’ competition with Moirangthem Ahenbi beating Puyam Kettyperry of Khangabok in the U-33 kg category final before Irengbam Diana beating Leitanthem Lucky of TRIUMPH for the U-47 kg category gold.
LFC’s Ashley Koijam (U-41), Yumnam Deepika Devi (U-44), PTA’s L Rushita (U-59 kg) and ASTA’s Kritiva Thangjam (+59 kg) also won gold medals in their respective weight categories.