Imploring time for a tiny kickboxing champ in Mizoram

Aizawl, Aug 27 (UNI) At the tender age of six everyone could see that Kevin, the youngest kickboxing champion and blackbelt in the country, was a natural fighter! His long legs and prevalent skills were evident early on that the fight-game would be the one he would dominate for many years to come.

Kevin Lalrinmawia, born in 2000 in a very moderate family, grew up with an obsession for stunts. His father Joseph understands. His mother Lalrinawmi is less than thrilled and his school teachers feel that his natural skills should not hamper his studies.

Apart from being one among the clever students in class two at Gospel centenary school, Kevin eventually discovers an innate gift for kickboxing, and a patient coach (Lalkhuma Colney) encourages him, even to the point of wearing uniform in the ring--as long as he wins.

And that he does, becoming a national sensation by winning three gold medals to become the youngest kickboxing champ of India in the just concluded 18th national kickboxing championship held in Orissa, through 10 straight victories.

He was awarded the youngest first 'Dan black belt' of the country by the Indian Association of kickboxing organisations (IAKO) in July 2005.

Kevin alludes the fact that his love for the sport was so great that he wanted fame and fortune to come from this exciting but 'fragile sport'. Kickboxing has struggled to obtain a place in state sports council's current list.

But he has not abandoned his dream to become the youngest kick boxing world champion one day.

''I've really been looking forward to stepping into the world kickboxing ring. I've trained hard and I want to win,'' said a shy Kevin as he prepares for the world kickboxing championship to be held at Hungary this November. Besides he has his eye on another international level kickboxing to be held in Croatia this December.

''I would show my talent in full contact, bare hand and weapons (musical forms) categories at the world level,'' he added.

However, his dreams may not materialise as the Mizoram government, big TV deals and sponsorship have overlooked his talent to become the world champ.

''Kickboxing remains to be the only sport in Mizoram without any funds and sponsorships,'' laments Lalkhuma Colney, the current kick boxing coach and president of Mizoram Kickboxing Association (MKA).

Mr Lalkhuma added that despite several pleas, the sports council is yet to add it into its list though the fact remains that MKA has produced more than five national champions in different categories during the past couple of years.

''However, I train Kevin vigorously five days a week hoping he will find his way to the world championship,'' the chief coach said adding, ''sometimes these talented youths do not even get proper conveyance, diet and medical facilites during training.

''All these days we managed with some donations from our well-wishers to send these young lads to compete in other states,'' he said.

As a young and professional kickboxer Kevin won several national titles which included a silver medal (semi contact category) in the 15th national kickboxing championship held at Jammu and Kashmir last year, one gold and a bronze (full contact and musical forms categories respecively) in the 16th national kickboxing championship held at Tamil Nadu(2005) and won three gold medals in the recently concluded 18th national kickboxing championship held at Orissa.

This apart, Kevin has already won 10 gold medals in the state level competitions.

Besides Kevin, young talented kickboxers including 19-year old R Larenruati (three gold in senior national level 2005), 16-year old Lalchungnunga (one gold in national level junior category, 2004), 16-year-old Lalwmpuia (one gold in in national level junior category, 2006), 14-year old Zodin Sanga (one gold in national level boys, 2005) and 16-year-old J Lalremruata (one gold medal) are still waiting for their turn in international level.

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