By Daphine Elivia Suchiang
“I was once a quiet and introverted child, but martial arts gave me a new path.”
These are the words of Pynnehbor Mylliemngap – better known by the name that now echoes in the halls of international martial arts: Golden Eagle.
Born on July 21, 1996 in Smit, Pynnehbor has journeyed far beyond the quiet hills of his village. With four international medals, 32 national accolades and 32 state-level victories across 280 fights, his record is not just impressive, it is a testament to unbreakable spirit, relentless discipline and the power of dreams that never die.
His story began at the age of 6, under the strict and loving guidance of his elder brother, Kendra Mylliemngap. Though he initially showed little interest in martial arts, it slowly became the forge that shaped him. From 2006 to 2014, he carved out his name in the local and national fighting circuits, repeatedly winning titles such as ‘Best Fighter’. But life had other plans. In 2010, the sudden loss of his brother shook his world and pulled him away from martial arts.
For a while, he channeled his energy into bboying, beatboxing and the raw energy of hip-hop – still a fighter, just in a different arena. But the fire never faded. In 2013, he returned to martial arts, more focused than ever.
By 2014, he claimed gold at the National Kickboxing Championship, along with the Best Fighter of India title and a Rs 50,000 cash prize. That same year, he earned his first-degree black belt – a symbolic beginning of the next phase of his journey.
In 2016, he proved his mettle at the Asian Jeet Kune Do Championship with a gold and silver. Then came 2017, the year he became the only Indian to win gold at the Asian Kickboxing Championship. That moment was not just a victory, it was the birth of Golden Eagle.
From there, the sky was no limit. Tournament after tournament he brought home gold, losing only rarely. Yet, it was not always victory and celebration. The Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 was one of his darkest times. With competitions halted, the future seemed uncertain. But resilience, like muscle, had been built through years of hardship. He kept training.
He rose again, this time not just as a fighter, but as a mentor. He founded the Kendra Hyper Martial Arts Academy, a tribute to his late brother. What began as a tribute became a movement and over 200 students joined. Twenty of them rose to the international level. Alongside this, Pynnehbor became an internationally certified coach under the International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA).
His international journey continued. Though he missed the podium in the 2021 World Muaythai Championships, he roared back in 2022 with a bronze at the same event in the UAE. It was another step toward a dream he’s never given up on – representing India at the Olympic Games.
What makes Pynnehbor’s story more than a record of fights and medals is his heart. He trains 6 to 8 hours a day. During fight prep, he often eats just once a day, cutting weight with painful discipline. There were times he trained with barely any equipment, fighting not just opponents, but poverty. Through it all, his mother, Lapsur Mylliemngap, remained his pillar and, sometimes, government support helped bridge the gap.
Personally, being recognised by prestigious organisations affirms his years of sacrifice. It boosts confidence, self-worth, and gives him a sense of belonging to a global community of warriors. Professionally, it opens doors: career growth, leadership roles and a powerful network of mentors and athletes who inspire him forward.
Yet, Pynnehbor’s vision stretches beyond himself. He dreams of creating job opportunities through sports, using his academy as a platform to transform lives. With government careers increasingly out of reach for many, he believes sports can be the gateway to stability, discipline and success.
He encourages the youth to believe in themselves. “Practice even when you feel tired, and train as if you’re angry. After 30 minutes, you’ll start to enjoy it.” His advice is simple, powerful, and raw, like the man himself.
“The lesson I learned from my brother was to never be afraid, and to keep practicing until even my opponent would be afraid to face me.” These words are carved into every punch, every kick and every victory.
The Golden Eagle still soars – and with fire in his heart and his brother’s spirit behind him, Pynnehbor Mylliemngap continues his flight toward Olympic glory.
