Linthoi Chanambam, a 19-year-old judoka from Manipur, has made history by winning India’s first-ever medal at the World Junior Judo Championships 2025 in Lima, Peru, securing a bronze in the women’s 63kg category. She defeated Joni Geilen of the Netherlands in the repechage round after losing to Japan’s So Morichika in the quarterfinals.
Trained at the Inspire Institute of Sport, Linthoi overcame a two-year recovery from ACL surgery to return to the mat. The International Judo Federation and Indian sports bodies have hailed her achievement as a breakthrough for Indian judo on the global stage.
Historic Bronze and a Journey of Resilience
Linthoi’s path to the podium was marked by grit and determination. After losing to eventual gold medallist So Morichika of Japan, she fought back through the repechage, defeating Slovakia’s Ilariia Tsurkan before clinching bronze with a decisive ippon against the Netherlands’ Joni Geilen in the final seconds.
“We cried, we suffered, we failed, but you were always there with me,” she wrote on social media, dedicating the medal to her coach, Mamuka Kizilashvili. At just 15, she had already made history by winning gold at the 2022 World Cadet Judo Championships, becoming India’s first cadet world champion in judo. Her latest triumph, however, is seen as a greater milestone, placing India firmly on the junior world judo map.
From Injury to Inspiration
Linthoi underwent surgery in 2023 to repair a torn ACL in her left knee, keeping her off the mat for two years.
“I felt demotivated and lacked confidence. I used to lock myself in my room and cry,” she shared before the event. With the support of her coach and the Inspire Institute of Sport, she returned to competition in 2025, winning gold at the Berlin Junior European Cup in June and bronze at the Asian Junior Championships in September.
Her training in Akhmeta, Georgia, exposed her to elite European competition, sharpening her skills and mindset. In 2024, she was honoured with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu for her contributions to sport.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Linthoi Chanambam’s journey is a powerful reminder that setbacks do not define destiny. From injury and isolation to standing on a world podium, her story embodies resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of mentorship. Every young athlete who has ever doubted their worth should see Linthoi’s triumph as proof that comebacks are possible.
