A star is born   
Kevin of Mizoram becomes a national sensation by winning three gold medals to become the youngest kickboxing champion of India.  
Sandeep Banerjee

AT the tender age of six everyone could see that Kevin, the youngest kickboxing champion and black belt in the country, is 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 discovered an innate gift for kickboxing, and a patient coach (Lalkhuma Colony) encouraging 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 champion 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 Organisation (IAKO) in July 2005. 

Kevin admits 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 this, 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 sponsorships have overlooked his talent and aspirations to become the world champ.  “Kickboxing remains the only sport in Mizoram without any funds and sponsorships,” laments Lalkhuma Colony, the current kickboxing coach and president of Mizoram Kickboxing Association (MKA). 

Lalkhuma added that despite several pleas, the sports council is yet to add it into its approved list of sports disciplines 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. “We have been managing with some donations from our well-wishers to send these young lads to compete in other states,” he said.  

As a young and professional kick boxer, 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 respectively) in the 16th national kickboxing championship held at Tamil Nadu (2005) and three gold medals in the recently concluded 18th national kickboxing championship held at Orissa. Apart from all these prizes, Kevin has already won 10 gold medals in state level competitions. 

Besides Kevin, young talented kick boxers including 19-year old R. Lalemruati (three gold in senior national level 2005), 16-year old Lalchungnunga (one gold in national level junior category, 2004), 16-year-old Lalawmpuia (one gold 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 competitions. Access North East and North East News Agency wish Kevin the best in his future endeavours.

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