Linthoi Chanambam interview: 'My dream is to participate in 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, doing my best for it'

Teenage judoka Linthoi Chanambam may not be a household name in the sport, but she is surely working her way towards it.

At only 16 years old, the Manipuri athlete won a historic gold at the World Cadet Judo Championship in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She beat Brazil’s Bianca Reis in the 57 kg final, but that did not come easy after her coach, Mamuka Kizilashvili, was given a touchline ban over some vociferous protests.

There was a minute and 28 seconds to go in the contest, and when her coach was forced off, she was up by a Waza-Ari (second biggest score in Judo), and had to hang in there. Without her coach, she displayed courage to fight off the Brazilian.

In the end, her determination and never-die attitude went a long way in emerging victorious by a 1-0 scoreline.

Linthoi was already making waves in 2018. That year, the teenager won gold at the sub-junior national championship, and would take four years to become a champion at the Asian Cadet Championship in Bangkok.

Apart from Linthoi’s coach, her parents have also been a guiding force in her sporting career.

Linthoi’s next big mission is the National Judo Championship, which is being held at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka, from 7 to 9 July.

The World Champion advances into the next round. ⚡️#TeamIIS athlete Linthoi Chanambam (-63kg) moves into the second round.