Pu Zoramthanga, popularly known as Zoram Thanga, T. Zoramthanga originally named Run Nawn. He was born in the year 1963 in Falam, Myanmar. He was Burmese Indian Chin boxer who is still popularly remembered as first Indian to win bronze medal at the 6th Boxing World Cup in Mumbai (then Bombay), 1990. He should not be confused with his namesake Pu Zoramthanga, the politician and long time Chief Minister of Mizoram.
Early Life of Pu Zoramthanga
He was born Run Nawn to a Chin family in Selawn village near the town of Falam in Chin State, Myanmar. His family moved to Tithim village near Tahan-Kalaymyo. He joined the Myanmar Army there, where he first took up boxing. In order to kick start his career he along with his family moved to Mizoram in India. In 1985, he changed his name and jumpstarted his boxing career. In the same year he received the gold medal at the Mizoram-Myanmar Champhai Border Championships in his weight category.
Career of Pu Zoramthanga
Zoramthanga took part in many national and international boxing s for Mizoram and India. He made tremendous contribution in the World Amateur Boxing Championships in Moscow in 1989, reaching the quarter finals, before of course facing defeat to Cuban boxer and eventual runner up - Rogelio Marcelo.
His tremendous success was at the 6th Boxing World Cup in Mumbai in 1990, where, in light weight category, he won a bronze medal. He won against Jin Yang of South Korea on points in the preliminaries, and Paul Weir of Scotland in the quarterfinals, also on points. Eventually, in the semi finals, he lost to Eric Griffin of USA in the on points. Over the years he has contributed tremendously to the welfare of the game. He has been an awesome player and participated in various national and international events.
Keeping note of his achievements and success at the international boxing events, Government of Mizoram made him the Sports Promotion Officer of the state.
Later Years of Pu Zoramthanga
He retied from competitive boxing in the year 1992 but continued to hold the position of Sports Promotion Officer until he died abruptly of hypertension at the Lunglei Civil Hospital in Lunglei, Mizoram on February 9, 2005. He was survived by his wife and three children.
