Warm airport reception for two hometown medallists
Imphal welcomed its Commonwealth Games 2026 medallists on Monday as weightlifters Chanambam Rishikanta Singh and Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam arrived from Glasgow to a warm reception at Imphal Airport, local reports said. Rishikanta secured silver in the men's 60kg event while Bindyarani won bronze in the women's 58kg category.
The athletes spoke to reporters after their arrival, credited a broad circle of support for their success and outlined their immediate sporting priorities. Both pledged to continue preparing for major international events, with the Olympics and Asian Games specifically named by Rishikanta as his next targets.
- Chanambam Rishikanta Singh: silver medal, men's 60kg weightlifting.
- Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam: bronze medal, women's 58kg weightlifting.
- Both athletes received congratulations from local leaders and supporters on arrival in Imphal.
Gratitude, acknowledgement of support and a note on injury
Rishikanta emphasised the role of family and institutional backers in his progress. He said he came from a modest financial background and acknowledged the contributions of his parents, elder brother, family members, friends, coaches and support staff. He also named the National Sports Academy, the Sports Authority of India and the Indian Weightlifting Federation among those who supported his journey.
"First of all, I give credit to my mom and dad. After that, my elder brother and my family members and my nearby friends circle. Also, the National Sports Academy, the Sports Authority of India and the Weightlifting Federation of India... The plan for the future is to prepare for the Olympics and Asian Games," Rishikanta said, according to reports.
He also spoke candidly about physical discomfort during the competition. Rishikanta said he had hoped for gold but settled for silver after struggling with knee pain; despite that, he described himself as happy with the result.
Local praise and sporting context
BJP MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh congratulated Rishikanta and his family, calling the achievement a proud moment for the country and highlighting Manipur's longstanding sporting tradition. Local leaders and supporters, present at the airport, underlined the role of community and institutional support in nurturing athletes from the region.
| Athlete | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| Chanambam Rishikanta Singh | Men's 60kg weightlifting | Silver |
| Bindyarani Devi Sorokhaibam | Women's 58kg weightlifting | Bronze |
For Imphal and Manipur, the return of medallists adds to a steady stream of international performances by athletes from the state. The praise from elected representatives and the public reception at the airport reflect both local pride and expectations that the region will continue to produce high-level competitors in weightlifting and other sports.
What the athletes plan next
Both medallists signalled continued commitment to competitive weightlifting. Rishikanta specifically named the Olympics and the Asian Games as forthcoming points of focus. The athlete credited his immediate support network and national sports bodies for enabling his performance at Glasgow, and said rehabilitation and training will be part of preparations moving forward given the knee pain he experienced during the Commonwealth Games.
Bindyarani, who secured the bronze in the women's 58kg event, also pledged to maintain strong performances in future competitions, as reported at the airport reception.
The return of the two weightlifters provides a timely boost to local sporting morale in Imphal and underlines the continued importance of institutional pathways — from grassroots coaching to national academies — in producing medal-winning athletes from the Northeast.
