Laitonjam Lanchenba wins butterfly silver at 52nd Junior National Aquatics, boosts Manipur

The 52nd Junior National Aquatics Championships 2026, featuring the country’s top young swimmers, began this week with events across multiple strokes. In the butterfly discipline, Manipur’s Laitonjam Lanchenba delivered a strong performance that earned him a silver medal. Lanchenba’s finish placed him second in a tightly contested race, marking the first medal for Manipur at the championships. The silver adds to Manipur’s growing reputation in competitive swimming and sets a positive tone for the state’s contingent as the meet progresses. Officials and coaches praised Lanchenba’s technique and composure, noting that his achievement could inspire more youngsters from the region to pursue aquatic sports.