The North East region delivered an inspiring and powerful performance at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 held in Raipur, with athletes from Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Assam, and Meghalaya making their mark across multiple disciplines.
Manipur’s Kiu Changliu Gangmei Clinches Silver
Kiu Changliu Gangmei from Manipur showcased remarkable strength in the Women’s 53kg weightlifting category, lifting a total of 160 kg. She tied for the top position with Odisha’s Jhilli Dalabehera, but had to settle for silver due to the lower body weight rule, narrowly missing gold. Her performance remains one of the standout highlights from the region.
Tripura’s Riyaj Leads with Double Medal Feat
Athletes from Tripura impressed in swimming, led by Riyaj Tripura, who emerged as one of the most versatile performers of the event. He secured a silver medal in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley and added a bronze in the 50m Butterfly.
Tripura’s success extended beyond Riyaj, with Tiluttam Jamatia winning silver in the Women’s 50m Butterfly and Parmila Molsom claiming bronze in the Women’s 100m Backstroke. The state’s swimmers demonstrated depth, resilience, and competitive excellence.
Mizoram Dominates in Weightlifting
Mizoram athletes delivered an outstanding performance in weightlifting, reinforcing the state’s growing reputation in strength sports. Isak Malsawmtluanga clinched gold in the men’s 60 kg category with an impressive display of technique and power.
Adding to the tally, Laithanpuia secured silver in the 65 kg category, highlighting Mizoram’s consistent ability to produce top-tier weightlifters from tribal communities.
Assam Swimmers Secure Three Silvers
The swimming contingent from Assam also made a strong impact, bringing home three silver medals. Firmino Emon Lalung earned silver in the Men’s 50m Butterfly, while Nibir Nilim Krow finished second in the Men’s 100m Backstroke.
The duo, along with Santosh Narzary and Andrique Welson Terang, combined to secure another silver in the Men’s 4×100m Freestyle Relay, underlining Assam’s strength in team as well as individual events.
Meghalaya Opens Account with Historic Bronze
Meghalaya celebrated its first medal at the games as Larityngkai Lawriniang secured bronze in the 53 kg weightlifting category. Identified through the state’s STAR (Talent Identification Programme), her achievement reflects the success of grassroots sports development initiatives.
Rising Power of the North East
The collective achievements at KITG 2026 underline the North East’s emergence as a powerhouse of sporting talent. From weightlifting platforms to swimming pools, athletes from the region demonstrated determination, discipline, and immense potential, signaling a promising future on the national and international stage.
