Competing against elite athletes from across Asia in China’s prestigious “One Horse First Cup”, Mizoram’s Vanlalhmangaihi clinched gold on June 21, 2026 — a historic moment for the state’s growing presence in international martial arts.
By Nengcha Haokip | Kukiland Express
Songpi, July 9, 2026: Mizoram’s Vanlalhmangaihi has brought laurels to the state by winning the gold medal in the Senior Under-30 category at the 17th Beijing Taekwondo Super League, also called the “One Horse First Cup”. The championship was held in Beijing, China, and Vanlalhmangaihi secured the top position on June 21, 2026, defeating top athletes from across Asia.
A native of Kolasib district, Vanlalhmangaihi is currently pursuing her studies at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports in Beijing. Balancing academics and high-level sports training in China, she has been representing Mizoram and India in various international taekwondo events over the past few years.
The Beijing Taekwondo Super League is one of China’s most prestigious martial arts competitions, drawing participants from professional clubs, universities, and national teams. The “One Horse First Cup” edition featured intense competition in multiple weight and age categories, with the Senior Under-30 division seeing some of the toughest bouts.
Her victory has been welcomed across Mizoram, with sports officials and youth bodies calling it a proud moment for the state. Officials from the Mizoram Taekwondo Association said Vanlalhmangaihi’s discipline and dedication while training abroad is an inspiration for young athletes back home who aspire to compete internationally.
With this gold, Vanlalhmangaihi aims to continue training at Capital University and target more international ranking events later this year. She has dedicated the medal to her coaches in Mizoram and to the people of the state, hoping her win encourages more girls from the Northeast to take up combat sports.
