Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh’s Sonam Zomba secured her first international victory via second-round technical knockout (TKO) against Singapore’s Shi Yin Tan in the straw-weight category at Matrix Fight Night (MFN) 16, held at Delhi’s Siri Fort Stadium on Saturday.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu congratulated Sonam Zomba for her excellent performance and remarkable victory in MFN 16.
Taking to X, CM Khandu wrote, “Your dedication, strength, and skill in the ring are truly inspiring. Wishing you continued success in your MMA journey—may you achieve even greater heights in the future!”
Congratulations to Ms. Sonam Zomba for her excellent performance and remarkable victory in MFN 16!
Your dedication, strength, and skill in the ring are truly inspiring.
Wishing you continued success in your MMA journey—may you achieve even greater heights in the future! pic.twitter.com/ax4fEakJsg— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) March 2, 2025
“I am proud of my coach, family and supporters that I have made it in my first international fight,” Zomba said.
The MMA fighter said, “I want to thank the team of Arunachal Pradesh, the chief minister Pema Khandu who sponsored me. It’s really good to know that you have the CM behind you.”
Hailing from Jang village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district, she is a straw-weight professional mixed martial arts (MMA) champion affiliated with Bidang MMA Fitness in Guwahati, Assam.
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Zomba had earlier won in the 13th edition of the MFN in the straw weight category at the Noida Indoor Stadium in 2023 by a knockout.
In July 2022, she won two gold medals in MMA and striking MMA in events organised by the All India MMA Federation in Delhi.