Linthoi Chanambam is Judo World Champion

Sixteen-Year-Old Defeats Brazilian Bianca Reis To Win At Cadet World Championships, in Sarajevo, Bosnia

Linthoi Chanambam: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina: IIS athlete Linthoi Chanambam has become India’s first-ever Judo World Champion, beating Brazilian Judoka Bianca Reis 1-0 in the final of the -57kg category, in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Friday. One of India’s brightest prospects on the Judo mat, Linthoi Chanambam showed glimpses of promise when she won Gold at the Sub-junior National Championships, in 2018.
 
A part of the IIS’ Judo Program since 2017, Chanambam has been on several exposure trips with the guidance of IIS’ Judo Head Coach Mamuka Kizilashvili, including camps at the University of Tsukuba, in Japan, Georgia and most recently in Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of the World Cadet Championships.
 
In November 2021, Linthoi struck Gold at the National Championships held in Chandigarh, followed by another at the Asian Cadet and Junior Judo Championships, in Bangkok, in July.
 
Her fantastic run now continues, with Chanambam becoming India’s first ever Gold medalist in any age category and across genders at the World Cadet Judo Championships, having beaten Brazilian Judoka Bianca Reis 1-0 in Sarajevo, Bosnia, in the -57kg category.
 
“I really don’t have the words and cannot explain how I am feeling right now. I only know that I’m very happy with this victory, and I hope to build on this,” said Chanambam, after her feat.