Raipur, March 25 (NationPress) In a stunning display of talent, Dhoneesh N. from Karnataka and Anjali Munda from Odisha secured the inaugural gold medals in the men’s and women’s 200m freestyle swimming events at the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026, held at the International Swimming Complex in Raipur on Wednesday.

The opening day saw Karnataka excel in the swimming arena, dominating by winning five out of the six gold medals available. Meanwhile, the host state, Chhattisgarh, also marked their presence with a silver and a bronze medal in the women’s and men’s 100m breaststroke events.

The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games has attracted participation from 30 states and Union Territories, with nearly 3800 athletes competing across nine sports disciplines. A total of 106 gold medals will be contested in sports such as archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling, while traditional sports like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi are included as demonstration activities.

Following the first day of competitions, Karnataka is leading the medal tally with a total of seven medals, including five golds. Odisha stands second with four medals, one of which is a gold, while hosts Chhattisgarh hold the fourth position with two medals. In the men’s 200m Freestyle final, Dhoneesh achieved a remarkable time of 2:03.55s, finishing nearly seven seconds ahead of his fellow state competitor Keerthan Sharat (2:10.99s), who took the silver. The bronze went to Bhaktish Kumre from Maharashtra, clocking in at 2:14.73s.

“This is my first experience at the Khelo India Games, and winning the inaugural gold medal makes it incredibly special. While I believe I could have performed better, I am still very happy,” expressed Dhoneesh.

In the women’s 200m freestyle, Odisha showcased their prowess by winning both a gold and a bronze medal. Anjali finished with an impressive time of 2:39.02s, narrowly defeating Karnataka’s Nidhi S., who earned the silver with a time of 2:39.09s. Sriya Padiami from Odisha secured the bronze with a time of 2:49.04s.

Karnataka continued to dominate the events, with Manikanta L. and Mehanjali each winning two gold medals in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly events.

Manikanta claimed the gold in the men’s 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:07.41s, nearly four seconds ahead of silver medalist Palash Thakur from Maharashtra (1:11.69s).

Nikhil Xalco of Chhattisgarh opened the medal count for the hosts by clinching the bronze with a time of 1:11.77s.

He later returned to the pool to secure the gold in the 50m butterfly with a time of 27.06s. Assam’s Firmino Emon Lalung (27.69s) and Riyaj Tripura from Tripura (28.48s) took the silver and bronze, respectively.

In the women’s events, Mehanjali was unstoppable in both the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly, clinching gold with a time of 1:25.81s, while Anushka Bhagat from Chhattisgarh secured the silver at 1:29.10s.

She also won the 50m butterfly gold with a time of 34.67s, finishing ahead of Tiluttam Hamatia from Tripura (34.85s) and Ritika Minz from Odisha (35.54s).