Swimmer Manikanta L. from Karnataka dominated the Khelo India Tribal Games by securing three more gold medals, bringing his total to five individual golds. Meanwhile, Odisha’s Anjali Munda also excelled, clinching a hat-trick of gold medals in swimming events. The second day of the competition in Raipur saw local talent Anushka Bhagat from Chhattisgarh claiming a silver in the women’s 200m individual medley race.
Karnataka currently leads the medals tally with eight gold, three silver, and one bronze, closely followed by Odisha with five golds. Assam stands third with two gold medals. The ongoing games witness the participation of 30 states and Union Territories, with nearly 3800 athletes competing across nine sports disciplines. A total of 106 gold medals are up for grabs in various events, including traditional sports like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi.
Manikanta’s exceptional performance continued on the second day as he secured victories in multiple swimming events. Expressing his joy, Manikanta credited his hard work for the success and expressed his ambition to win gold in all nine events he is participating in. On the women’s side, Odisha’s Anjali Munda stood out by clinching two gold medals, contributing significantly to her state’s medal tally.
In weightlifting, Jhilli Dalabehera from Odisha claimed the top spot in the women’s category, showcasing her prowess in the sport. Despite facing injury concerns, athletes like Monikha Sonowal from Assam and Isak Malsawmtluanga from Mizoram displayed remarkable performances to secure gold medals in their respective weight categories. The competition witnessed fierce yet inspiring displays of talent and determination from athletes across various disciplines.
