Weightlifter Nikita secured a gold medal for Chhattisgarh, ending their wait for a top position at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. In the women’s 77kg weightlifting event, Nikita dominated to claim the gold, while Odisha’s swimmers, including Ritika Minz and Anjali Munda, clinched three gold medals. Arunachal Pradesh also excelled, winning both men’s weightlifting gold medals on the same day.
Karnataka leads the overall medals tally with 15 gold, followed by Odisha with seven gold medals. Assam currently holds the third spot with four gold, seven silver, and three bronze medals. Chhattisgarh, the host state, stands at seventh place with one gold, four silver, and three bronze medals.
Nikita’s remarkable performance in the women’s 77kg category, lifting a total of 160kg, brought joy to Chhattisgarh sports fans. Expressing her happiness, Nikita mentioned that winning this gold medal at Khelo India was a significant achievement for her after a year of rigorous training. In other events, Assam’s Dimpi Sonowal and Pallavi Payeng secured top positions in women’s 69kg weightlifting.
In swimming, Assam’s Nibir Krow and Violina Krow shone, with Nibir winning a gold medal in the 50m Backstroke event. Karnataka dominated the swimming competition, with Manikanta L and Meghanjali standing out with multiple gold medals. The event concluded with Karnataka leading in the swimming category with a total of 15 gold medals.
