Ukhrul, Jan 9: A 12-member weightlifting team including four officials of the state of Manipur will participate in the weightlifting competition of the upcoming 38th National Games in Uttarakhand from January 28 to February 14. This was informed by the Manipur Olympics Association citing Manipur Weightlifting Association sources.
According to the Manipur Olympics Associations, the lifters who will represent the state of Manipur in the National Games include L Nilam Devi(55kg), S Bindyarani Devi(55kg), S Nirupama Devi(64kg), K Roshilata Devi(64kg), S Chaoba Chanu(76kg), W Sapana Devi(81kg), M Martina Devi (+87kg) and N Tomchou Meetei(55kg). The four officials are L Bikram Singh (Manager), H Shaya Devi(Manager), S Brojendro Singh(Coach), and M Sunibala Devi(Coach).
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According to their official statement citing the state weightlifting coach M Sunibala Devi, three players are presently in their camps outside the state while five lifters are undergoing intensive training coaching sessions at the Sports Authority of India premises at Takyelpat in the outskirts of Imphal. Among the selected 8 state weightlifters, Nirupama and Bindyarani are in the Railways camp while Martina is in a national camp.
“This time we are expecting at least 3 gold medals and 2/3 silver and bronze medals in the upcoming national games,” Sunibala Devi, the coach in charge of Youth Affairs & Sports Department’s RCC was quoted as saying.
In the last National Games in Goa, the state weightlifting team bagged 1 Gold,1 Silver 1, and 2 bronze medals, it said.
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It also reported that the state weightlifter Martina Devi Maibam delivered a stellar performance at the Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships in Doha last year, clinching two silver medals and one bronze in the 87+kg junior category. The 18-year-old Weightlifter lifted a combined 225 kg, comprising 96 kg in snatch and 129 kg in clean and jerk. Her outstanding effort earned her silver medals in the total and clean and jerk categories, while she secured bronze for her performance in the snatch, it said.
Moreover, the Association informed that Martina’s achievements in the Asian Junior Weightlifting Championships, a key platform for emerging talent in the region, contributed to India’s overall tally at the championships. The Indian contingent wrapped up the junior competition with 12 medals, including 8 silver and 4 bronze, reflecting their strong presence on the international stage.
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The Manipur Olympics Association also said that the weightlifting discipline in Manipur contributed four out of the state’s total of 19 Olympians. They are N Kunjarani(2004), Th Sanamacha (2000,2004), Ng Sonia((2012) and S Mirabai(2016,2020 & 2024).
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