Linthoi Chanambam Becomes First Indian to Win a Medal at the Junior Judo World Championships
Linthoi Chanambam, a 19-year-old judoka from Manipur, made history on October 7, 2025 by winning a bronze medal in the women’s 63 kg category at the World Junior Judo Championships in Lima, Peru — the first time an Indian has ever medalled at the Junior Worlds. She beat the Netherlands’ Joni Geilen in the bronze bout after progressing through the repechage following an earlier defeat to Japan’s So Morichika. This landmark achievement follows a string of recent successes for Linthoi, including a gold at the Berlin Junior European Cup earlier in 2025.
- Athlete: Linthoi Chanambam (19), from Manipur, India.
- Event: World Junior Judo Championships 2025, Lima, Peru.
- Category: Women’s 63 kg.
- Medal: Bronze (first ever Indian medal at Junior Worlds).
- Bronze match: Defeated Joni Geilen (Netherlands) via a decisive hold-down after coming through the repechage following a Group D loss to So Morichika (Japan).
- Recent form: Gold at the Berlin Junior European Cup (June 2025) and a history-making cadet world title in 2022.
FAQs
Q1: Did Linthoi Chanambam actually win India’s first medal at the Junior Judo World Championships?
A1: Yes. Linthoi won a bronze in the women’s 63 kg category at the 2025 World Junior Judo Championships in Lima, making her the first Indian to win a medal at the Junior Worlds.
Q2: Who did Linthoi defeat to claim the bronze, and how did she reach the match?
A2: She defeated the Netherlands’ Joni Geilen in the bronze medal bout, after advancing through the repechage bracket following an earlier loss to Japan’s So Morichika in Group D.
Q3: What are Linthoi’s other notable achievements before this medal?
A3: Linthoi was the 2022 World Cadet Judo Champion (Sarajevo) and won gold at the Berlin Junior European Cup in June 2025 — achievements that show a consistent upward trajectory.
Q4: How significant is a junior world medal for an athlete’s future?
A4: Very significant. Junior world medals indicate international competitiveness, often leading to better funding, coaching opportunities, and smoother transition to senior circuits — provided the athlete receives consistent support and smart competition planning.
Q5: What should India’s judo bodies do to capitalise on this moment?
A5: They should invest in junior international tours, strengthen regional training centres (especially in the Northeast), fund sports science and injury rehab, and create media/sponsorship pipelines so young athletes receive financial and structural support. Linthoi’s medal is a leverage point for such action.
