Raipur, April 1 (NationPress) In a remarkable display of athletic prowess, race walker Dasharath Talawar and middle-distance runner Nagini contributed two gold medals to the leading state, Karnataka, during Day 8 of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG). Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh's Gajendra Thakur secured a silver in the men's 800m race, and their men's hockey team earned a bronze medal on Wednesday.

Dasharath Talawar led Karnataka to a remarkable 1-2 finish in the men's 10km race walk, clocking in at 45:13.85s, followed closely by Darshan Bagadi at 46:25.90s. Gujarat’s Sagarbhai Katara finished third with a time of 48:16.09s at the Kreeda Parisar athletics track in Jagdalpur.

Nagini showcased her dominance in the women's 800m race, clinching gold with a time of 2:13.80s, bringing Karnataka’s gold medal count to 21. Overall, Karnataka has achieved eight silver and seven bronze medals, totaling 36 medals.

Chhattisgarh’s Gajendra Thakur expressed his joy after winning the silver medal in the men's 800m with a time of 1:53.82s, finishing behind Munda, who recorded 1:53.33s.

Thakur, who only began training in athletics a year ago, shared, “I had come for kabaddi trials at the SAI Training Centre in Bilaspur, but the coaches suggested I pursue track events due to my fitness level. I’m thrilled to earn my first national-level medal here in Chhattisgarh at the Khelo India Tribal Games,” he told SAI Media.

Earlier in the day, Chhattisgarh’s men's hockey team triumphed over Madhya Pradesh with a score of 14-6 to secure a bronze medal, bringing their total medal count to two gold, eight silver, and five bronze medals, placing them 10th in the overall standings.

With only one day left for track and field events, second-placed Odisha continued to pursue Karnataka, earning four gold medals on Wednesday and increasing their overall tally to 17 gold, 10 silver, and 16 bronze medals.

Gold medalists for Odisha included Davanidhi Munda (men’s 800m), Roshan Khadia (men’s 400m hurdles), Dipa Kisan (women’s High Jump), and Dhanmati Xess (women’s javelin throw). Jharkhand also improved its standing, now holding a total of 19 medals, which includes nine gold, three silver, and seven bronze medals.

In football, Chhattisgarh secured a spot in the finals by defeating Arunachal Pradesh 3-2. Captain Akhilesh Kumar Uikey led the charge with two goals, while Manoj Kumar Lekam contributed another goal. Arunachal Pradesh fought back late but fell short, with Rahul Goju Singpho scoring a double.

In the other semifinal, West Bengal overcame Goa with a score of 5-2, with multiple players contributing to the scoreline.

RESULTS

ATHLETICS

Women

400m hurdles: Gold – Shivani Kumar (Jharkhand) 1:02.06s; Silver – Adithya KM (Kerala) 1:04.60s; Bronze – Basanti Majhi (Odisha) 1:05.89s

800m: Gold – Nagini (Karnataka) 2:13.80s; Silver – Purnima Sandil (Odisha) 2:15.88s; Bronze – Shanti Bai (Madhya Pradesh) 2:19.11s

10km race walk: Gold – Neha Xalxo (Jharkhand) 1:04:02.46s; Silver – Alish Ekka (Odisha) 1:04:59.12s; Bronze – Bethlyne Makri (Meghalaya) 1:05:18.62s

High Jump: Gold – Dipa Kisan (Odisha) 1.45m; Silver – Kahima Basumatary (Assam) 1.45m; Bronze – Kabita Tadingi (Odisha) 1.43m

Javelin: Gold – Dhanmati Xess (Odisha) 44.79m; Silver – Sabita Murmu (Jharkhand) 43.12m; Bronze – Apiksha Gamit (Gujarat) 41.77m

Men

400m hurdles: Gold – Roshan Khadia (Odisha) 53.41s; Silver – Dnyaneshwar Vali (Maharashtra) 54.02s; Bronze – Manish Bedia (Jharkhand) 54.62s

800m: Gold – Davanidhi Munda (Odisha) 1:53.33s; Silver – Gajendra Thakur (Chhattisgarh) 1:53.82s; Bronze – Rahul Oraon (Jharkhand) 1:54.32s

10k race walk: Gold – Dasharath Talawar (Karnataka) 45:13.85s; Silver – Darshan Bagadi (Karnataka) 46:25.90s; Bronze – Sagarbhai Katara (Gujarat) 48:16.09s

FOOTBALL

Boys semifinals: West Bengal 5 (Saurav Sabbar 27’, Dilip Oraon 36’, Bikay Murumu 42’, Rahul Murmu 45+1’, Chaku Mandi 90+2’) defeated Goa 2 (Charles Miranda 84’, Pratamesh Damodar Gaonkar 90+4’)

Chhattisgarh 3 (Akhilesh Kumar Uikey 34’, 66’, Manoj Kumar Lekam 75’) defeated Arunachal Pradesh 2 (Rahul Goju Singpho 81’, 86’)