Nagaland scripted history by winning the Overall Champions title at the 14th Senior National Pencak Silat Championship 2026, which concluded at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre in Shillong after three days of intense competition.
Nagaland secured the national crown with six gold medals, narrowly defeating host state Meghalaya, which produced a remarkable performance to finish as runners-up with four gold medals. The All India Police Sports Control Board claimed third position.
The championship brought together more than 1,500 martial artists from 36 states, Union Territories, and central sports boards. Athletes competed across multiple categories in combat (Tanding) and artistic (Seni) disciplines.
Nagaland Dominates National Stage
Nagaland finished at the top of the medal standings with six gold, two silver, and one bronze medal, taking its total medal tally to nine.
The state’s title-winning campaign was led by international silver medalist Kitenlo K. Thono, who secured gold in the senior male combat category. Multi-time Asian and National Games medalist Hinokali continued her impressive form with another gold-winning performance.
Khelo India dual-gold medalist Kevin added another major achievement by dominating the senior combat category, while Liike Kibami contributed another crucial gold medal.
Hatneinem Khongsai and Avikali V. Shequi completed Nagaland’s championship-winning run with strong performances across senior artistic and fighting events.
Meghalaya Secures Historic Runner-Up Finish
Host state Meghalaya delivered one of the standout performances of the tournament by winning 12 medals, including four gold, two silver, and six bronze medals.
Gold medal winners for Meghalaya included Banrilang Muktieh, who claimed the Senior Female Combat (Tanding) -65kg title, and Rimchi Sangma, who won gold in the Senior Female Artistic Solo (Seni Tunggal) category.
Tobias Klein and Philip Khymdeit combined brilliantly to capture gold in the Senior Male Artistic Doubles (Seni Ganda) event.
Meghalaya’s silver medalists included Viviana Mallai in Female Combat -70kg and Tapash Rabha in Male Combat -85kg.
The state’s bronze medals were won by Khamtimon Rympei, Domonika Syiem, Iohdahun Klein, Anthony Shadap, Sundayrius Khymdeit, and Moon Moon Rabha across various combat divisions.
Sikkim Records Historic First Senior Medal
Sikkim achieved a major milestone as Nichal Rai became the state’s first-ever senior national medalist in Pencak Silat.
Rai won bronze in the Men’s Combat (Tanding) 60–65kg category after impressive victories over opponents from Jharkhand, Gujarat, and the CISF sports board before losing in the semi-final stage against Uttar Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Sikkim athletes Dawki Lepcha, Adrina Rai, and Samiran Sharma gained important tournament ranking points and secured qualification for the 3rd Khelo India Beach Games 2027.
The 14th Senior National Pencak Silat Championship 2026 marked a defining moment for North East India’s growing influence in martial arts, with Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Sikkim delivering landmark performances on the national stage.