Inunganbi Takhellambam has etched her name in Indian judo history by winning a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Judo Championships, ending a 13-year medal drought at the continental level for India. The 27-year-old from Manipur secured the podium finish in the women’s −70kg category with a commanding performance against Mongolia’s Lkhagvadulam Sarantsetseg in the bronze medal match in Ordos City, China.
A Turning Point for Indian Judo
India had not won a medal at the Asian Judo Championships since 2013, when Angom Anita Chanu claimed bronze in the women’s −52kg division. Since then, the country had come close but failed to convert opportunities into medals—until Inunganbi’s breakthrough performance this year.
Inunganbi, a seasoned competitor on the international circuit, has been part of the senior Indian team since 2021. Reflecting on her journey, she admitted that reaching beyond early rounds had earlier eluded her, making this achievement a milestone for both her career and Indian judo as a whole.
The Match that Made History
In the decisive bronze medal bout, Inunganbi executed her strategies with precision and control. She overcame Sarantsetseg, a tough opponent from Mongolia, by securing an ippon—judo’s highest scoring move that immediately ends the contest—underscoring her technical maturity and competitive composure.
Her victory was not just about the medal; it symbolised years of perseverance and belief for an athlete who once struggled to advance past the opening rounds of major events. “This is a big victory for me and it will give me more and more self-belief,” she said after her podium finish.
More Than a Medal: A Moment to Remember
Beyond the medal itself, one of the most poignant moments from the championships came from the sidelines. Inunganbi’s coach, Angom Anita Chanu—who had travelled to countless events carrying a formal coach’s blazer she had never worn—finally got to don it during the medal ceremony. Since judo coaches traditionally wear tracksuits up to medal matches, this was a long awaited and emotional moment for the veteran.
“Since the first time I travelled with Anita mam, she had always carried a blazer but never got a chance to wear it,” Inunganbi recalled. “This time she asked me if she should wear it. I told her — mam, you will wear it this time.”
With the historic bronze in hand, Inunganbi is now setting her sights on the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, where she hopes to build on this momentum and bring further glory to India.
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