Imphal, Jan 29 (UNI) Manipur Wushu players bagged one gold and two silver medals on the second day of the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand on Wednesday, Manipur Olympic Association (MOA) official said.
T Saya Chanu bagged gold medal in Women’s Changquan Competition while her state colleagues – Marshal Salam and K Panthoi Devi secured silver medals in Men’s and Women’s Changquan competition.
On winning the medals, the state Chef De Mission Rajchandra Moirangthem said, “Fighters of Manipur started winning medals despite year-long war.”
It may be mentioned that 39 Wushu players, including 20 female athletes of Manipur along with their coaches and managers, have been attending in the ongoing National Games, which were formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Dehradun on Tuesday. The Games will continue till february 14.
Wushu coach M Bimojit Singh, an Arjuna awardee, said,”There are also chances of getting golds in the evening session.”
Wushu, which was introduced for the first time in the National Games in Guwahati in 2007, was Manipur’s one of the major medal contributors in the previous National Games. So far, four Wushu players of Manipur have also received Arjuna awards.
In the 37th National Games in Goa in 2023, Manipur bagged 9 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals against 6 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze medals in the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022.
Presently, Manipur team is participating in 20 sports disciplines in the Uttarakhand Games.
On January 26, Manipur triathlete Sarungbam Athouba Meitei created history by securing a gold medal in men’s individual Triathlon competition of 38th National Games Uttarakhand after 26 years.Athouba’s achievement came after P Subhaschandra’s gold in the 5th National Games in 1999.
Athouba’s state colleague Telheiba Soram also won a silver in the event.