How Did Nagaland and Manipur Shine in Pencak Silat at KIBG 2025?

Diu, May 22 (NationPress) Nagaland and Manipur both secured two gold medals each, leading the medal count during the pencak silat events on the fourth day of the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025, held at the picturesque Ghoghla beach in Diu on Thursday.

With a total of eight gold medals available in the tanding (combat) category, the matches commenced on Thursday morning, and by afternoon, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Maharashtra, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir each claimed one gold medal.

The tanding category is unique in pencak silat as it involves direct combat between states and Union Territories. In contrast, other categories focus on artistic expression, emphasizing players' movements, posture, and elegance to impress the judges. Given its combative nature, tanding can sometimes lead to intense confrontations, as exemplified in the first final of the day featuring the under 45kg male category.

Prasanna Narendra Bendre from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu landed a decisive blow to Uttar Pradesh’s Prashant at the end of the third round using his feet, resulting in a five-point penalty. Despite this setback, Bendre emerged victorious, marking his second gold of the event with a score of 45-21.

In the following final, Dolly Leishangthem from Manipur narrowly defeated Reena of Chandigarh with a score of 13-12 in the under 45kg female category. Meanwhile, Jon of Nagaland scored a notable victory over Ramchandra Deepak Badak of Maharashtra, winning 22-15 in the Class A 45-50kg male category.

Thounaojam Rita Chanu from Manipur triumphed over Gaytri Negi of Uttarakhand with a score of 18-9 in the Class A 45-50kg female category, although the match was more competitive than the score indicates, with Negi receiving a five-point penalty for an illegal head strike.

Shivam from Delhi continued his state’s success by defeating Eshubharti of Uttarakhand 29-18 in the Senior Male Class B 50-55kg category. Earlier, a trio of girls from Delhi had already secured a gold in the Regu Senior female category.

In the Senior Male Class C 55-60kg final, Sajad Ahmad Beigh of Jammu and Kashmir dominated Sohil Gurung from Odisha, winning 9-0. The penultimate final saw Jayashri Kailash Shetye of Maharashtra easily defeat Hatneinem Khongsai of Nagaland 24-8. Finally, in the last final of the day, Liike Kibami of Nagaland overcame Hijam Merina Devi of Manipur with a score of 26-17.

Summary of Results (All Finals):

Senior Male Under 45kg Final: Prasanna Narendra Bendre (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu) 45-8 Prashant (Uttar Pradesh), Bronze: Samyek Vinod Marchande (Maharashtra) and Kartik Patel (Uttarakhand)

Senior Female Under 45kg Final: Dolly Leishangthem (Manipur) 13-12 Reena (Chandigarh), Bronze: Metapao (Arunachal Pradesh) and Shijina K (Kerala)

Senior Male Class A 45-50kg Final: Jon (Nagaland) 22-15 Ramchandra Deepak Badak (Maharashtra), Bronze: Atta Tayung (Arunachal Pradesh) and Kunal Rathee (Haryana)

Senior Female Class A 45-50kg Final: Thounaojam Rita Chanu (Manipur) 18-9 Gaytri Negi (Uttarakhand), Bronze: Tap Menia (Arunachal Pradesh) and Mafi (Haryana)

Senior Male Class B 50-55kg Final: Shivam (Delhi) 29-18 Eshubharti (Uttarakhand), Bronze: Tipu Patir (Assam) and Sudhanshu Srivastava (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu)

Senior Male Class C 55-60kg Final: Sajad Ahmad Beigh (Jammu and Kashmir) 9-0 Sohil Gurung (Odisha), Bronze: Likha Oum (Arunachal Pradesh) and Anmol Yadav (Uttar Pradesh)

Senior Female Class B 50-55kg Final: Jayashri Kailash Shetye (Maharashtra) 24-8 Hatneinem Khongsai (Nagaland), Bronze: Bamangyape (Arunachal Pradesh) and Khushboo (Delhi)

Senior Female Class C 55-60kg Final: Liike Kibami (Nagaland) 26-17 Hijam Merina Devi (Manipur), Bronze: Shailja Kamal Vavia (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu) and Varsha Kumari (Haryana).