Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Nedi Ngi and Maharashtra's Star Performers Shine on Day 6
Synopsis
On day 6 of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, Nedi Ngi from Arunachal Pradesh dazzled by winning the women's 5000m gold, while Maharashtra dominated the men's category with a gold-silver finish. The day's events were cut short by unexpected rain, but the athletes left a mark with their outstanding performances.
Key Takeaways
Nedi Ngi wins 5000m gold for Arunachal Pradesh.
Maharashtra secures 1-2 finish in men's 5000m.
Unseasonal rains lead to cancellation of evening events.
Karnataka dominates wrestling with two golds.
Finals set between Odisha and Mizoram in hockey.
Raipur, March 30 (NationPress) In an exhilarating display of athleticism, Nedi Ngi from Arunachal Pradesh secured the gold medal in the women’s 5000m event, while Maharashtra showcased an impressive performance by achieving a 1-2 finish in the men’s category before unexpected rains led to the cancellation of the evening session during the opening day of athletics competitions on day 6 of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026.
Ngi strategically paced herself throughout the race, unleashing her speed in the final 200m to clinch the gold with a remarkable time of 18:24.66s. Meanwhile, Maharashtra's Govind Padekar (15:11.35s) and Suraj Mashi (15:11.64s) executed a flawless strategy to secure gold and silver medals respectively in the men’s 5000m event.
“I am thrilled to make a comeback after focusing on my studies, and winning this gold medal brings me immense joy. Now that I have graduated, my goal is to join the National Camp and aspire to be part of the Indian team for significant competitions,” Ngi expressed to SAI Media post-race.
Ngi’s exceptional performance has helped Arunachal Pradesh strengthen their position in the medals tally, now boasting six golds, one silver, and two bronze medals.
In a remarkable display, Karnataka has extended their lead at the top of the leaderboard with two gold medals from wrestling in Ambikapur. Rohan Doddamani earned Karnataka’s first gold outside the aquatic events by defeating Dinesh Solanki from Rajasthan through technical superiority in the 60kg Greco Roman final.
Following that, Manisha concluded the day for the leading team with a hard-fought 12-8 victory over Muskam from Himachal Pradesh. As a result, Karnataka now stands at 17 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals.
Odisha maintains the second position with nine gold, four silver, and ten bronze medals.
In another highlight, Mulayam Kharwar earned Bihar’s first gold medal of the day with a commanding win against Rakesh Meena from Rajasthan in the men’s 65kg freestyle final, while KV Kemppannavar from Karnataka secured the bronze medal.
At the international hockey stadium in Raipur, the favored Odisha team has set up a final showdown against Mizoram. In the semi-finals, Odisha triumphed over Madhya Pradesh with an 8-0 victory, while Mizoram edged past Jharkhand 3-2.
Point of View
The Khelo India Tribal Games serve as a platform for emerging athletes to shine on a national stage.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the women's 5000m gold medal?
Nedi Ngi from Arunachal Pradesh won the women's 5000m gold medal.
Which state achieved a 1-2 finish in the men's 5000m event?
Maharashtra achieved a 1-2 finish in the men's 5000m event.
What caused the cancellation of the evening session?
Unseasonal rains forced the organizers to cancel the evening session.
How did Karnataka perform in wrestling?
Karnataka extended their lead with two gold medals in wrestling.
What teams will face off in the hockey finals?
Odisha will face Mizoram in the hockey finals.
