Early Life
The story of Chungreng Koren started from a small village of Manipur, a northeastern state in India, well known for its rich cultural and scenic beauty. Even so, it was not an easy life, not for Koren. Growing up in a tribal household, it had been a hurdle long before his first breath — his father passed away just a month before he was born. This loss required that his mother single handedly care for her children and try to make ends meet. Koren said he spent his years toiling in the rice fields as well as attending school to help provide for the family.Discovering a Passion
Koren first got a taste of wrestling while watching it on television and it was a single spark, set in motion on his way into the MMA forest. With scarce resources and facilities in Manipur, Koren had to follow his newfound passion no matter what. His breakthrough came after Indian MMA prospect Roshan Mainam, an accomplished amateur wrestler, invited him to KOI Combat Academy in Bengaluru for a trial. Koren credits Vishal Seigell with helping him develop his skills at the sport, and Koren has grown in stature under Seigell's careful guidance.
Koren first got a taste of wrestling while watching it on television and it was a single spark, set in motion on his way into the MMA forest. With scarce resources and facilities in Manipur, Koren had to follow his newfound passion no matter what. His breakthrough came after Indian MMA prospect Roshan Mainam, an accomplished amateur wrestler, invited him to KOI Combat Academy in Bengaluru for a trial. Koren credits Vishal Seigell with helping him develop his skills at the sport, and Koren has grown in stature under Seigell's careful guidance.
Rising in the Ranks
The hard work and dedication finally paid off when he emerged victorious with the interim bantamweight championship at Matrix Fight Night (MFN) 14, last month. Not only was this win a historic personal achievement, but it also represented a ray of hope for his home community that had been embroiled in years of ongoing ethnic violence. After getting the winner's trophy in his hand, a very emotional Koren appealed in front of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "Stop the violence" and visit to him Manipur and put the peace back on the region.
A Voice for Peace
His in-ring success gives Koren a platform to speak out on the issues that are plaguing his home state. In a viral video, he detailed the problems being faced by the people of Manipur, including the unavailability of basic resources like food and water, and the acrimonious effect at the educational front because of the violence. His appeal to the Prime Minister was to quell violence in the area- calling for dire action required to re-establish calm and order in the Eastern State.
Balancing Life and Career
But Koren says he feels closer to his roots than ever despite his growing notoriety. He still works within the rice fields, nothing has changed except his loyalty to his family and his community. His is story of more than personal triumph, it is a story of taking what he has earned, to raise others who have not been as lucky, and open minds that still endure the shackles of racism and intolerance
But Koren says he feels closer to his roots than ever despite his growing notoriety. He still works within the rice fields, nothing has changed except his loyalty to his family and his community. His is story of more than personal triumph, it is a story of taking what he has earned, to raise others who have not been as lucky, and open minds that still endure the shackles of racism and intolerance
Looking Ahead
With this, as well as the rest of Koren's MMA tenure, he hopes to motivate and help others from disadvantaged backgrounds like his own. The transformation from the paddy fields of Manipur to the cage of the MMA ring is an achievement that showcases the possible when there is a will to being made. Koren's story is statistically two standard deviations outside the mean, but it serves as a reminder of the incredible capacity of the human spirit and what one person can do to alter the path of their community and beyond.
With this, as well as the rest of Koren's MMA tenure, he hopes to motivate and help others from disadvantaged backgrounds like his own. The transformation from the paddy fields of Manipur to the cage of the MMA ring is an achievement that showcases the possible when there is a will to being made. Koren's story is statistically two standard deviations outside the mean, but it serves as a reminder of the incredible capacity of the human spirit and what one person can do to alter the path of their community and beyond.
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