IMPHAL, Oct 13: Manipuri boxer Mayengbam Suranjoy won the 34th Gold medal for India in the flyweight catagory boxing at the ongoing 2010 commonwealth games held at New Delhi today after his opponent Benson Njangiru of Kenya failed to show up in the ring.
“There will be fireworks at the locality tonight , we are keeping our fingers crossed that Suranjoy wins the gold medal . I am also obliged to show a ˜shumang leela’ and throw a big party for the entire neighborhood in case he wins , stated a beaming M. Inakhunba while making arrangements to view his son’s upcoming boxing event at the Common Wealth Games this evening.
Born at Uchiwa Leirak Achouba, around 27 kms away from Imphal city, Mayengbam Suranjoy was brought up at a small hamlet to Mayengbam Inakhunba and Mayengbam ongbi Tampakleima and he is the youngest of 7 siblings. Born November 1st ,1986 Suranjoy showed keen interest in sports and other physical activities as a child according to family members .Talking to IFP, Inakhunba while reminiscing said that, “The boy have always been the silent type but he was the energetic sort. I remember when he was hardly 12 years old ,when he packed rice and pulses along with some clothes to join a non residential boxing camp at Sagolband Lukram Leirak on impulsion when there was none to give him shelter at the said place. As he had no place to stay, the coach seeing his eagerness let him stay at the Lukram Leirak Youth Club building where the camp was being held .
The locals of Uchiwa Leirak cahouba had gathered at Suranjoy’s residence from early this afternoon to see his final bout.”As today is the final match,we are all eager to see his performance and the neighbours have come in such large numbers that we have to shift the Telivison from the drawing room to the courtyard. Due to the erratic power supply ,we have also hired a generator so we can watch the match uninterupted”,stated Inakhunba. As per family statement Suranjoy had earlier taken to football and had represented himself in various sub junior matches. His elder brother Suranjit,then also a boxer and working as a NCO in the 8th Assam Rifles saw that Suranjoy could adapt to individual disciplines and recommended that he take up boxing.
Suranjoy then hardly 12 years old was also keen on taking up the sport.”It’s somewhat like disco dancing only that you have to use your arms to punch someone” ,Suranjoy is said to have exclaimed to his father.His Father Inakhunba, a farmer then struggling to make ends meet on supporting a large family was working odds and ends to feed his family.He stated that he was unable to provide Suranjoy’s financial needs and it was a blessing that he was able to join the Sports Authority of India.(Manipur) and his coach L.Ibomcha on seeing his spirit for the sport took Suranjoy under his wing in 1999. ” Coach Ibomcha is his real guardian and we give him total credit behind Suranjoy’s successes”,stated a teary eyed Inakhunba.
As per family history, Spotsmanship runs in Suranjoy’s family as his father Inakhunba was also a successful wrestler and a kabbadi player.Suranjoy’s nephews Thomas and Ngouba are playing at the national level and have won medals at the level.Suranjoy’s elder brother and mentor Suranjit is also a boxer and is employed in the Assam Rifles presently stationed at Sajik tampak in Chandel District.
Suranjoy after winning a series of state and national level matches came into prominence after winning the first gold medal for India in a span of 15 years at the Asian Boxing Championship held in china in 2009.The same year he also won the gold medal in the prestigious President Cup and overall won 6 medals in 6 international arenas in 2009-2010. He also won the gold medal in the 2003 national games held in Hydrabad and have represented the Nation in bouts held at Germany,England,China. The gold medal which he won in a walkover today is yet another feather to his cap .He is presently the Chief Physical Training Officer in the Indian Navy and stationed at Mumbai.The pugilist enjoys eating burgers and pizza after a strenious workout at the National Institute of Sports at Patiala,where he presently trains.
Following the news of Suranjoy’s victory, the entire state and residents of Uchiwa celebrated today. His family members acknowledged the efforts of coaches L.Ibomcha,Khoibi salam and Sidhu for training him and bringing him up to his present status .” We are proud of Suranjoy as he has brought fame to our sleepy village put Manipur on the boxing map of the world”,stated his jubilant family members. Among the 14 sportspersons from the state representing the Nation, in the CWG, a total of 7 medals including 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals have been won in individual and team disciplines and suranjoy is the lone male participant from the state of Manipur to have won a medal.