UKHRUL: 19-year-old Thotmachan Awungshi secured the gold medal in the Under-23 category at the 22nd National Mountain Bike (MTB) Cycling Championships. Representing the Indian Air Force (IAF), Awungshi outpaced a highly competitive field to finish at the top of the podium on the final day of the event held in the rugged Himalayan foothills of Roing.
Hailing from Phalee Village in the Ukhrul district of Manipur, Thotmachan is the son of Yurthing Awungshi. Despite his young age, he is a seasoned athlete with five years of experience in mountain biking. His victory in Roing adds another prestigious national medal to his growing collection.
Awungshi carries the raw edge of the hills , a rider shaped by the winding village paths where cycling was never training, only instinct. Long before podiums and medals, there was simply a boy and his bicycle, carving through rugged terrain for the sheer thrill of it. What began as passion has since sharpened into purpose, steadily cementing his status as one of India’s most promising mountain biking talents.
“I have been into biking since I was a kid, biking around my village frequently. I randomly came across a competition on mountain biking on social media, so I took the challenge,” he recalls. That spontaneous decision led him to his first-ever competition — the 2021 North East Olympic Games in Shillong, where he stunned the field with a gold medal finish.
For Awunshi, the wins were never meticulously calculated. They were a by-product of joy. Professionally trained only after his second year in the sport, his foundation was built on something far more organic. “I would cycle day and night, not thinking much of it as practice but as fun!” he says, a statement that still defines his approach.
Despite the medals and national recognition, there remains an unfiltered boyishness in his outlook.“I still think I am the same kid, enjoying every moment of this,” he adds, a reminder that the heart of his journey has never shifted.
Today this passion runs on discipline, “as an athlete my morning starts with training strength, conditioning or skill practice. After that, I focus on recovery, stretching and proper nutrition. I also spend time reviewing my performance and making sure my body gets enough rest. Every day to me is about improving even in small ways.”
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The results speak loudly. Awungshi has competed five times at the National MTB Championship, clinching gold on all five occasions, a rare streak of dominance. His international résumé is equally compelling: he has represented India twice at the MTB Asian Championships, including a top-9 finish in the Junior category in 2023. Awungshi’s ascent has been powered by something simple yet unshakeable—the love of the ride.
“Winning the championship is a dream come true,” Awungshi stated following the 22nd National MTB Championship. “My preparation started months ago. I focused on fitness, endurance, and mental strength, visualizing this success throughout the journey. This victory motivates me to aim for even bigger goals.”
Awungshi’s advice to young aspirants who dream of pursuing sport as a passion is grounded and honest, “expect hard work, early mornings, sacrifices and setbacks. It is not always glamorous. There will be losses, injuries and moments of doubt. But if you truly love the sport, the journey is worth it. Sports teaches us discipline, resilience and mental strength which are lessons that last a lifetime.”
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The 22nd National MTB Championships, organized by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and hosted by the Arunachal Cycling Association (ACA), marked a historic milestone as the first national-level cycling event held in Roing.
The competition featured a world-class, 3.9 km track carved through the Eze River area, described by participants as one of the most challenging in the country. The event served not only as a platform for elite athletes like Yogesh Sonawane (Maharashtra) and Taitus Ch Marak (Meghalaya) but also as a talent identification hub for the next generation of Indian cyclists.
—Ashin Shaiza & Woryunrin .A. Shatsang