Manipur’s Kimkim Khongsai wins All India U-15 badminton ranking title in Hyderabad

In a proud moment for Manipur’s Kangpokpi district and the Kuki-Zo community, young badminton star Kimkim Khongsai has emerged as the champion in the Under-15 category at the prestigious Yonex-Sunrise All India Sub-Junior National Ranking Badminton Tournament 2026 held at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy.

 

Popularly known as the “Saina Nehwal of Kangpokpi,” Kimkim represented Nagaland in the tournament after obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Badminton Association of Manipur. Sources said the young shuttler was compelled to shift her sporting career to Nagaland as she could neither continue staying nor return to Imphal amid the ethnic conflict that has affected large parts of Manipur.

 

Despite the challenges, Kimkim defeated some of the country’s top young shuttlers to clinch the national ranking title in the Under-15 category.

 

Adding to her remarkable achievement, Kimkim partnered with Liansangpuia to win the Under-15 Mixed Doubles National Ranking Championship. The fourth-seeded pair produced a series of impressive performances, upsetting higher-ranked opponents before securing the title.

 

Organised under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India, the tournament is regarded as one of the country's most important ranking events for emerging badminton talent.

 

A native of Chonjang Village and currently residing in Vengthah, Ward No. 3, Kangpokpi, Kimkim has steadily risen through the ranks of Indian badminton. Her latest triumph comes less than a year after she was named the “Most Amazing Player of the Tournament” at the North East Zonal Championships.

 

Sports enthusiasts and community leaders have hailed her victory as a historic achievement, noting that her journey from conflict-hit Manipur to the top of the national rankings reflects extraordinary resilience, determination and dedication.

 

With a national ranking title now added to her growing list of accomplishments, Kimkim Khongsai is increasingly being viewed as one of the brightest badminton prospects from Northeast India and a future contender on the national and international stage.