The Indian women's hockey team defeated defending champions China
1-0 in final
Lalremsiami scored the all-important winning goal for India in the 10th minute
Goalkeeper Savita Punia saved China's penalty stroke to preserve India's lead
Hockey is immensely popular in Mizoram. Mizos have a local name too - “Vai vuak".
Most Mizo young boys and girls play Vai Vuak with hockey-like substance made of bamboo sticks and roots.
Me and my brother also played during our school days in Lunglei, a small town not very far from Bangladesh border. But one-day our mom used the local-Mizo-made hockey stick on two brothers. The 'love' and synchronising of mother's punishment had marks on two brothers' feet for days if not weeks.
Nevertheless, Hockey is a lovely game.
Forty-four years is a long wait.
On Friday, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday; India finally got what it had been waiting for.
Mizo damsel Lalremsiami's superb reverse-stick strike in the 10th minute gave them the all important lead against defending champions China.
The test of nerve was tough.
Goal keeper Savita Punia stood tall when China won a penalty stroke, India's defence refused to give an inch, and the final whistle brought an Asian Games women's hockey gold.
The 1-0 victory also secured India's direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Lalremsiami is the first 'Mizo woman' to appear at the Olympics.
Born on March 30, 2000, at College Veng locality of Kolasib town; she was the fifth of eight children of father Lalthansanga and mom Lalzarmawii.
She had a humble beginning and at times with 'risk'.
Prayers to Lal Paa (God in Mizo language) gave her the new life.
When she was only six years old, she became seriously ill.
"After receiving prayer and healing, she recovered. From then on, she grew up as a healthy and energetic young girl," says a local journalist in Aizawl.
When she was only 11, Remsiami was introduced to hockey.
Under the guidance of senior Mizo hockey player T. Lallawmawmi, she "learned hockey" near Diakkawn Field and began playing regularly.
From the very beginning, understandably, Remsiami stood out from the others. She was agile, fast, and exceptionally talented.
Because of these qualities, her hockey coach Malawmi had great hopes for her and strongly believed that she could become an outstanding hockey player.
After joining the India Junior Team, Lalremsiami regularly trained alongside the India Senior Team in Bhopal and Bengaluru.
She also sometimes played practice matches with the senior players. She was extremely hardworking and enthusiastic. Remsiami progressed rapidly, and her performances during training caught the attention of the coaches.
While she was still with the junior team, she was unexpectedly invited to attend a senior-team meeting one evening.
Not knowing why she had been called, she sat quietly at the meeting, nervous and confused. Toward the end of the meeting, the India Senior Team squad for the Netherlands tour was announced.
To her astonishment, her name was included.
She could hardly believe it and initially thought she had misunderstood. Only after senior players repeatedly congratulated her did she realize that she had actually been selected to play for the India Senior Team.
The final had almost everything India could have expected from a contest against the reigning Asian champions and Paris Olympic silver medallists.
There was an early goal, a penalty stroke, sustained Chinese pressure and long periods when India's defenders had little choice but to stay compact and clear whatever came their way. But China never found the finish they needed, and India's slender advantage survived until the final hooter.
Lalremsiami gave India the perfect start.
In the 10th minute, Sakshi Rana picked out the forward inside the circle, and Lalremsiami made no mistake. She turned and unleashed a fierce reverse-stick hit that flew into the upper part of the net, giving the Chinese goalkeeper no chance. It was a superb finish and an important moment in the forward's 200th appearance for India.
ends
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