RAIPUR: Mizoram for long has been regarded as a cradle of footballing talent.It even shows in the numbers as more than 70 players currently play for various clubs in the Indian Super League and second-division India Football League, including India international Lallianzuala Chhangte.However, in recent years, youngsters from the northeastern state have begun branching out into other sports, notably weightlifting. It was evident not only during the Nationals this year, where they won three bronze medals, but also from their presence at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games where they brought a squad of 13 athletes – eight men and five women.
So far, they have won two gold, two silver and one bronze and there’s hope of even more coming over the next two days.While the state govt has been promoting the sport, another major reason for this shift has been Jeremy Lalrinnunga’s gold medal-winning performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 67kg category.“After he won the gold medal, lots of youngsters started showing interest in the sport. They were hugely motivated by his performance and I believe they can also go to the top like him,” said Malsawma Khiangte, Jeremy’s coach during his initial days.Khiangte is here as the coach of the Mizoram team and trains athletes at the Khelo India Training Centre in Aizawl, where 11 sportspersons are currently under his guidance. In addition, the state also runs its own academy. And the state sports minister Lalnghinglova Hmar couldn’t have been happier with the performance so far.“We have identified eight sports disciplines with a vision for the 2036 Olympics. Weightlifting is one where we believe we have strong potential, and I’m happy to see our athletes performing well. This will give us a boost to further promote the sport,” said Hmar.Interestingly, Isak Malsawmtluanga, who won gold in the 60kg category with a total lift of 235kg, was earlier a footballer before switching to weightlifting when he was 11 years old.“It was at my grandmother’s request that I took up the sport. My parents weren’t too happy initially as they felt it might affect my growth, but they fully support me now,” said the youngster, who trains at the NCOE in Imphal and is good friends with Jeremy, from whom he also gets guidance.Another lifter who has been inspired by the Youth Olympic medallist is Lalfakawma. He comes from the same locality as Jeremy and grabbed a silver here on Friday.Coach Khiangte, meanwhile, has great expectations from 17-year-old David Zohmingnawia who will be competing in +110 kg on Sunday.“He has been training in Imphal NCOE since 2024 and was part of an exposure trip to Uzbekistan. He bagged a silver in youth nationals and Khelo India Games and should be competing in the seniors within a couple of years,” said the Mizoram coach.Time will now tell whether he adds to the medal tally at the Tribal Games, but what’s certain is that Mizoram is fast emerging as a force to reckon with in weightlifting.