From a Correspondent

ITANAGAR, July 9: Noted Arunachalee wrestler Dada Riba added a feather in India’s cap by winning the bronze medal in the 46 kg category (Gekroman freestyle) in the Asian Cadet Wrestling Championship held in Bishkek in Kazakistan during July 5-8.

The 13 Indian wrestlers who participated in the international event returned with six medals – one each gold and silver and four bronze, official sources said here on Monday.

The Indian team was led by four coaches. It would be worth mentioning here that Pune-based Army Sports Institute’s training officer Maj Rao during a special talent hunt drive in February 2010 had selected 22 out of 400 boys (aged 10-14) screened at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Naharlagun, including Riba.

Riba, who belongs to a poor family of New Riba village in Dumporijo circle of Upper Subansiri district, was initially trained by Yum Pangkhu. After he was spotted by Maj Rao, Arunachal Weightlifting Association (AWA) sponsored him to join the ASI.

Riba had won global laurels first by winning the gold medal in the Asia Cadet Championship conducted at Taskent in 2011.

“Arunachal Pradesh is the sports gold mine of India,” commented Major Rao while lauding Riba for his consistent performance. Arunachal Pradesh Wrestling Association (APWA) president Ratu Techi said the association would continue to hunt budding talents and extend all support to them for winning state, national and international level glory.

Sports & Youth Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Wanki Lowang and AWA president Abram K Techi joined Maj Rao in congratulating Riba on his feat.

Riba shone in the first National Rural Tournament conducted in Kerala (January 23-26, 2009), won the gold medal in the National Wrestling Championship conducted in Tamil Nadu (July 2-5, 2011), participated in the Asian Cadet Wrestling Championship (August 4-7, 2011) and the World Wrestling Championship (September 14-18, 2011).

Meanwhile, Abraham informed that the AWA has set up a weightlifting training centre-cum-gymnasium at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here, which will be dedicated to the state by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki on July 18 next.

The AWA had appointed national level lifter Ch Pramita Devi as coach recently to train the state’s high potential lifters with an eye on the 2016 Olympics.