Manipur’s Linthoi Chanambam wins gold at Berlin Junior European Cup

IMPHAL — Eighteen-year-old Linthoi Chanambam made history at the Berlin Junior European Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian judoka to win gold in the 63 kg category, a major leap from her earlier world title in the women’s 57 kg contest at the World Cadet Judo Championship in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Competing against 618 athletes from 37 countries, Linthoi delivered a standout performance for team Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), Bellary, overcoming a series of tough international opponents. Her final bout saw her defeat a top-seeded Polish judoka.

On Monday, Raj Bhavan Manipur posted on X that the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, extends his heartfelt congratulations to Linthoi for making history and acknowledged Linthoi’s outstanding achievement in the 63 kg category, overcoming top international athletes, and noted that her success has brought great pride to both Manipur and the nation.

Former state Chief Minister N Biren Singh also congratulated Linthoi on her historic gold. On Monday, he posted on X, expressing his heartiest congratulations to Linthoi. He noted that her remarkable achievement had once again brought immense pride and joy to Manipur and the entire nation and wished her a future filled with even greater victories.

In 2022, judoka Linthoi defeated Brazil’s Bianca Reis to claim the top position in the women’s 57 kg contest at the World Cadet Judo Championship in Sarajevo.

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Linthoi’s recent win adds to her list of international achievements, which include a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Cadet and Junior Championships in Bangkok, titles at the 2018 sub-junior nationals, victory at the 2021 senior nationals in Chandigarh, and another title at the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships in Bangkok in July.

She has trained at the IIS since 2017 under the guidance of Georgian coach Mamuka Kizilashvili.

Linthoi, daughter of Chanambam Ibohal and Chanambam Ongbi Guneshori of Mayang Imphal Thana Maning Leikai in Imphal West district, started playing judo at Mayai Lambi Sports Academy, which has produced many world-class judokas, including Commonwealth medalists Angom Anita Chanu and Khumujam Tombi.