Jowai, Oct 30: Sawakani Lakiang from Tpep-Pale, Jowai has brought laurels to the country, state and her village after winning a gold medal at the World Fitness Federation (WFF) South East Asia Championship held in Pattaya, Thailand on October 24-25, 2026.
This is her second international title after winning the SAARC Women’s Bikini Model Championship 2025 held in Mumbai.
Lakiang has also won several other laurels, including 5th place in Ironman Amateur JBB&FA 2022 Women Fitness, 4th place in Mr & Ms Meghalaya MBB&FA 2022 – WFF Women Fitness, 3rd place in Ironman Amateur JBB&FA 2023, and silver and bronze medals at the 11th National Bodybuilding & Fitness Championship 2023 in Jaipur.
Daughter of Wadbha Lyngdoh and Irina Lakiang of Tpep-Pale, Jowai and currently residing at Khimmusniang, Lakiang was given a rousing felicitation on Friday at Ummulong and Mookyndur by her family, members of Satar Gym Ummulong, her coach Desire Kynjing, and leaders and members of her native village.
Lakiang thanked God, her family, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for supporting her participation, Sports Minister and Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla, Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills, Jowai MDC Andrew A Shullai, the Social Welfare Department under the District Hub for Empowerment of Women, Doloi of Elaka Jowai Puramon Kynjing, WFF President Deraij Mohan Das who led the team to Thailand, MBB&FA Head Coach Flanagan Kharwahlang, Sookpoh clan, Tpep-Pale village and all her supporters.
Her coach said the gold was special as it marked the 80th medal won by trainees from his gym. He said he would continue to train youth to bring more laurels to the state.
