Imphal, June 26: With the inclusion of Judoka Likmabam Shushila Devi in the Indian judo squad, Manipur which is popularly known as sporting powerhouse, is all set to send five sports persons to represent the country in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020 which is scheduled to be started in Japan from July 23 to August 8 next.
The five sports persons are six times world champion pugilist MC Mary Kom Boxing (Women's Boxing 51kg),former Indian women national team captain Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam(Women's Hockey), Shanglakpam Nilakanta(Men's Hockey),Saikhom Mirabai Chanu(women's 49kg) and Likmabam Shushlia Devi(women's Judo 48 kg).
On hearing the news of Shushila's inclusion in India's Olympic squad,Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh on Friday congratulated the 26 year old judoka.
Sharing a photo of the player in a tweet on Friday, Biren wrote,"Congratulations to our Judoka Shushila Devi who has qualified for #Tokyo2020 through the Asian continental quota. I'm proud of our Manipuri athletes who'll be representing the country in the upcoming Olympic Games. May your hard work and dedication bring laurels to the country."
According to reports available here, judoka Sushila has provisionally qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by claiming the continental quota. But the confirmation will come only after the final list of qualifiers is released on June 28.
In the last Olympics Games held at Rio De Janeiro in Brazil in 2016, six sportspersons including weightlifter Mirabai,hockey player Sushila from Manipur represented the country.
It may be mentioned that the state produced its first Olympian P Nilakamol as goalkeeper for the men's hockey team in Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984.
