NE’s fastest man on winning Gold & Glory

Akangchila Longchar 
Dimapur | April 17

With the media dubbing him the “fastest man in the North East”, Rongsenmeren is riding the wave of success. At the 27th North East Games held in Imphal, he won the 100 metre race. “It seems like a miracle,” says Rongsenmeren of the hype surrounding his win.  

This is not the first time Rongsenmeren has run at the North East Games. The first time in 2011 at the 25th North East Games held at Dirag, Arunachal Pradesh, he won Bronze and repeated the same feat in 2012 at the 26th North East Games in Aizawl, Mizoram. Rongsenmeren had also won Bronze at the 4th National Level Rural Tournament in 4x100 metres race. 

Rongsenmeren is from Changdang Village, under Mokokchung District, and his friends attest to the fact that once the young lad sets his mind on something, he usually gets it done. The athlete shares that he was so tired of always winning Bronze, he set his mind on Gold. Sure enough, proving his friends right, the athlete came back with a shiny Gold medal around his neck. “It’s not fun to be behind others all the time,” he says, tongue-in-cheek. Rongsenmeren put in extra effort for this year’s tournament, both physically and mentally and trained everyday - morning and evening, for one and half hours each. 

23 years of age, Rongsenmeren is a shy person who never played any sport because he lacked confidence. In fact, he shares that it was in his twelfth class, studying at Christian Higher Secondary School Dimapur, that he first participated in sports. After that, in 2009 he approached the State coach sharing his interest to represent Nagaland as an athlete. 

Rongsenmeren points out that athletes everywhere, when they bring back medals for their State or country are treated with respect and receive recognition. “Although the State Government has been doing its best for sports in Nagaland, I feel that much more could be done,” he reflects.  He shares that in Nagaland, athletes have to search for sponsors or scholarships themselves, whereas it should be the other way round.  

Rongsenmeren opines that winning is not the main goal for most sportspersons. As an athlete in Nagaland with immense drawbacks in facilities, financial support etc., Rongsenmeren feels that Sports remains a hobby. It’s also a passion. It’s something we love, so players don’t quit. He also moots that losing is part of the game. Rather than taking losing as failure, he advises that players should try and understand the reasons why he lost, and focus on how to improve it.   

The young athlete also has big dreams. With no Naga athlete winning Gold at National Games, Rongsenmeren has made this his target. He also dreams of a day participating in the Olympics. Until then, for now, Rongsenmeren wishes to perhaps get a job in the Police department. 

For any athlete to succeed, Rongsenmeren feels that they should avoid tobacco and alcohol. “Nagas are good athletes but bad habits are our downfall,” he says. He also notes how many good athletes stop competing in Sports after a few years, which he feels is “limiting ourselves”. He says that once one decides to become an athlete, he should give his whole heart and be determined to succeed to the best of ability. For his own big win, the athlete trained hard intensively for 15-20 days before the competition. 

“I am happy and grateful to God for my talent. Also, my parents have supported me financially and through prayers. It’s because of them that I am what I am today,” he says humbly. He also credits and expresses gratitude for the guidance of State Athletics coach Khriehutuo Tsira, and assistant coaches- Awala and Kriezotonuo. 

Next year, Nagaland will host the North East Games, and the athlete is already feeling the heat! The pressure is definitely on, he says, while adding that he will be competing at the upcoming Senior & Junior National Athletes Championship.

Here’s wishing the young athlete all the best, who has the talent to make it big, and the determination to make it come true.