North East India has produced several outstanding sports personalities who have excelled on national and international stages, bringing glory to the region and the country.
Mary Kom (Manipur):
Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte, popularly known as Mary Kom, is a six-time World Boxing Champion and an Olympic bronze medalist. She is the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each of the seven world championships. Her journey from a small village in Manipur to becoming a global boxing icon is inspirational and has put North East India on the global sports map.
Baichung Bhutia (Sikkim):
Known as the "Sikkimese Sniper," Baichung Bhutia is one of India's most celebrated footballers. He has been instrumental in popularizing football in India and is the first Indian footballer to play professionally in England. Bhutia has received numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award and Padma Shri, and remains an inspiration for aspiring footballers from the region.
Mirabai Chanu (Manipur):
Saikhom Mirabai Chanu is a weightlifter who won the silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women's 49 kg category, becoming a national hero overnight. She is also a World Champion and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, known for her strength, determination, and perseverance. Mirabai's achievements have made her a role model, especially for young girls in North East India.
Dipa Karmakar (Tripura):
Dipa Karmakar, a gymnast from Tripura, made history by becoming the first Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Olympics and perform the Produnova vault, known as the "vault of death." Her performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she finished fourth, brought gymnastics to the forefront in India and inspired a new generation of gymnasts.
Lovlina Borgohain (Assam):
Lovlina Borgohain is a boxer from Assam who won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women's welterweight category. Her achievements in a short span have made her a sports icon in the region, encouraging many young athletes to pursue boxing.
Hima Das (Assam):
Hima Das, also known as the "Dhing Express," is a sprinter from Assam who made headlines when she became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track event at the IAAF World U20 Championships in 2018. She has also won multiple medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, solidifying her status as one of India's fastest runners. Hima’s rapid rise in the athletics world has made her an inspiration, particularly for young athletes from rural and underrepresented regions.