Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh Dominate Wrestling with Two Golds Each
Synopsis
The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 kicked off with thrilling performances as Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh each secured two gold medals in wrestling. Mizoram also shone in weightlifting, adding to the excitement in Raipur.
Key Takeaways
Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh showcased their wrestling prowess with two gold medals each.
Mizoram added to their tally with two golds in weightlifting.
Karnataka continues to lead the overall medal standings.
Sakshi Burkule from Maharashtra delivered an impressive performance in weightlifting.
Jammu and Kashmir made their mark with a gold and silver in wrestling.
Raipur, March 29 (NationPress) In a thrilling start to the wrestling events at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh each secured two gold medals in Ambikapur, while Mizoram concluded the weightlifting segment with an additional two golds on the fifth day of the competition held here in Raipur on Sunday.
Jharkhand marked their first gold when Poonam Oraon triumphed over Geetha K from Telangana in the women’s 50kg final with a score of 6-3. Additionally, Anjit Kumar Munda dominated the men’s 67kg Greco-Roman final, defeating Mukesh Vasva of Gujarat via technical superiority.
The gold medals for Himachal Pradesh came through Navish Kumar in the 97kg Greco-Roman and Priyanka Chaudhary in the women’s 62kg category. Meanwhile, Mizoram increased their gold medal count to four, with Zosangzuali winning the women’s +86kg and David Zohmingmawia claiming top honors in the men’s +110kg division, propelling Mizoram to fifth place overall.
Karnataka continues to lead the medal tally with 15 gold, six silver, and four bronze, followed by Odisha with nine gold, four silver, and ten bronze medals. The host state, Chhattisgarh, which secured a silver through Rishika Kashyap and a bronze via Lucky Babu Markam in weightlifting, has slipped to ninth place in the standings.
In weightlifting, Sambo Lapung of Arunachal Pradesh lifted the state to third position by clinching the men’s 100kg gold with a total of 299kg. David Lal Zawmdika from Mizoram took the silver with 270kg, while Chhattisgarh’s Lucky Babu earned bronze with 261kg.
Maharashtra also made significant progress in the medal standings, with Sakshi Burkule winning their second gold in the women’s 86kg category, lifting a remarkable total of 150kg, 29kg more than silver medalist Rishika Kashyap from Chhattisgarh.
Sakshi showcased exceptional skill, leading comfortably throughout the competition. Vinod Salkar further contributed to Maharashtra’s gold tally by winning the Nordic contest in the men’s 125kg freestyle event.
Additionally, Jammu and Kashmir opened their medal account on this day, securing a gold and silver in wrestling. Munir Hussain earned the men’s 74kg freestyle gold by defeating Maharashtra’s Vikram Pawar 11-1 through technical superiority, while Shama Hoon finished with silver after losing to Himachal Pradesh’s Navish Kumar in the 97kg Greco-Roman final.
Point of View
It's evident that the competition is fierce, with states like Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Mizoram shining brightly. Each victory not only brings glory to the athletes but also highlights the potential of sports in shaping regional pride and unity.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states won gold medals in wrestling on the opening day?
Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh each won two gold medals in wrestling competitions.
What achievements did Mizoram accomplish in the games?
Mizoram secured two gold medals in weightlifting, bringing their total to four golds in the overall competition.
Who led the medal tally after the first day of events?
Karnataka topped the overall standings with 15 gold medals, followed by Odisha.
What was a significant performance in weightlifting?
Sakshi Burkule from Maharashtra won gold in the women's 86kg category with a dominant performance.
How did Jammu and Kashmir perform in the wrestling events?
Jammu and Kashmir earned a gold and silver in wrestling, marking their entry into the medal standings.
