Karnataka swimmer Manikanta L continued his winning streak at the Khelo India Tribal Games by claiming his third consecutive gold medal. He dominated the men’s 200m Individual Medley, finishing in 2:25.93s to secure his hat-trick of gold medals after earlier triumphs in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly events. Meanwhile, Odisha’s Anjali Munda clinched her second gold medal in the women’s 200m IM with a timing of 2:53.82s, adding to her previous gold in the 200m freestyle.
The Khelo India Tribal Games, featuring nearly 3,800 athletes from 30 states and Union Territories across nine disciplines, are witnessing intense competition. The event offers a total of 106 gold medals in various sports, including archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Additionally, Mallakhamb and Kabaddi are being showcased as demonstration sports at the inaugural edition.
In weightlifting, Assam’s Monikha Sonowal and Mizoram’s Isak Malsawmtluanga overcame injury challenges to secure gold medals. Monikha lifted a total of 132kg in the women’s 48kg category, while Isak lifted 235kg in the men’s 60kg category. Monikha, who had been battling a knee injury, expressed her determination not to miss the event, emphasizing her desire to make a mark on the national stage.
Despite facing a back injury, Malsawmtluanga showcased resilience in the men’s 60kg category, securing gold with a total lift of 235kg. Jharkhand’s Babulal Hembrom claimed silver, while Odisha’s Subrat Naik settled for bronze in the same category. The Games also saw competitive football matches, with Chhattisgarh drawing with West Bengal and Arunachal Pradesh defeating Goa.
