Imphal, Oct 15: Manipur divers Willson Singh Ningthoujam and Indiver Sairem, who recently secured India’s first-ever medal at the Asian Aquatics Championships, are now gearing up for the Asian Games scheduled to take place in Japan next year. Ningthoujam, a havildar in the Indian Army, won a bronze medal in the men’s 10m synchronized platform event alongside Sairem, who valiantly competed despite a thumb injury.
The duo, aged 23 and 15 respectively, has returned home to train for the Asian Games, aiming to further elevate India’s status in diving. “My sports journey began with kickboxing at the age of seven, followed by gymnastics at nine. I transitioned to diving at 11 and have been training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune since 2013,” expressed Ningthoujam. Hailing from Kongba Nandeibam in the Imphal East district, he added, “We are preparing to represent India at the Asian Games in Japan, starting in September 2026, with the guidance of our coaches.”
Though currently on vacation at home in Imphal, Ningthoujam mentioned that their training sessions could last up to four hours, divided throughout the day, with variations based on time and circumstances. “The institute provides us with immense support and care,” he noted.
Sairem, encouraged by his coaches and seniors, pushed through his thumb injury to compete in Ahmedabad. “I began gymnastics at seven and switched to diving at nine. My training at ASI has been ongoing since 2018,” he shared. “Even with my thumb injury from a prior event, my seniors motivated me to give it my all.”
While both athletes are optimistic about their futures, they face significant challenges that sportspersons in Manipur often encounter. Hemam London Singh, a senior colleague who finished sixth for India in the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games in the 3m synchronized springboard final, highlighted, “Most athletes in Manipur come from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Success in national and international competitions is often their only escape from poverty, and there is a notable lack of support systems in Manipur.”
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/10/16/manipur-divers-ningthoujam-sairem-set-sights-on-asian-games/
Category: SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2025-10-16 06:16:00
