Two hockey players from Mizoram returned home as Asian Games champions after helping India break a 44‑year drought for women’s hockey gold. In the final held in Kakamigahara, Japan, India defeated China 1‑0, with Lalremsiami scoring the lone goal in the 10th minute of the first quarter during her 200th international appearance. Goalkeeper Savita Punia also saved a penalty stroke before half‑time, ensuring India’s direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Mizoram government will award Lalremsiami and Lalthantluangi Rs 25 lakh each under the State Sports Incentive Scheme, recognising the historic achievement of the two athletes who trained at the Thenzawl Hockey Academy. The state highlighted the academy as an example of what grassroots sporting institutions can produce, noting that both players are the first from Mizoram to win an Asian Games gold medal.
Lalremsiami, 26, hails from Kolasib and was India’s youngest player at the 2018 World Cup. She earned an Asian Games silver that year and later became the first woman from Mizoram to represent India at the Olympics. Lalthantluangi, 20, is a defender who scored twice during India’s Asian Games campaign but did not feature in the final.
Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar expressed delight at the achievement, citing the significance of the tiny Thenzawl academy. A grand reception will be held at Lengpui Airport on Monday, October 5, followed by a felicitation programme led by Chief Minister Lalduhoma at R. Dengthuama Hall. The Mizoram government has identified hockey as a priority sport under its Empowering Mizoram Sports initiative, with a long‑term vision to prepare athletes for the 2036 Olympics.
