Star Swimmer Manikanta L Wins Eight Golds as Tribal Athletes Shine Across Multiple Disciplines
TFP Bureau, Raipur, March 27, 2026: Outstanding performances by tribal athletes continued to mark the third day of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, with Karnataka maintaining a commanding lead in the medal tally while competitions in swimming, weightlifting and women’s hockey delivered several remarkable moments. The focus of the tournament will now shift to Ambikapur in Surguja district, where wrestling events are scheduled to begin from March 28.
Karnataka emerged as the most dominant state in the Games so far, largely on the strength of its swimmers, who have swept the gold medals in swimming competitions. By the end of Day 3, the state had secured an impressive 13 gold, five silver and one bronze medal, becoming the first state to cross the 10-gold mark in the tournament.
The standout performer of the Games has been Karnataka’s star swimmer Manikanta L, who continued his exceptional run by winning two gold medals and one silver on the third day. With a total of eight gold medals to his name so far, Manikanta has emerged as the most successful athlete of the event and played a pivotal role in Karnataka’s dominance in the swimming arena.
Swimming events at the international swimming pool witnessed intense competition and high-level performances. Karnataka’s Meghanjali clinched the gold medal in the women’s 50m backstroke event, while Chhattisgarh’s Anushka Bhagat secured the silver medal. In the men’s category, Manikanta L maintained his supremacy by winning gold in both the 50m backstroke and the 100m butterfly events. Karnataka’s Dhuneesh N also contributed to the state’s tally by winning gold in the men’s 50m freestyle.
Host state Chhattisgarh also delivered a commendable performance on the third day of the competition, winning one silver and two bronze medals. Swimmer Anushka Bhagat secured her third silver medal of the Games in the women’s 50m backstroke event. Nikhil Jalko won bronze in the men’s 50m breaststroke, while Nyasa Paikra added another bronze for the host state in the 100m butterfly event.
In the overall medal standings, Odisha occupies the second position with six gold, two silver and nine bronze medals, while Assam stands third with two gold, four silver and two bronze medals. Chhattisgarh, with a total of six medals including three silver and three bronze, is jointly placed seventh along with Tripura.
Weightlifting competitions also witnessed strong performances from athletes across the country. Arunachal Pradesh’s Anai Wangsu clinched the gold medal in the senior women’s 58 kg category with an impressive total lift of 169 kg, comprising 74 kg in snatch and 95 kg in clean and jerk. Mina Santa of Odisha secured the silver medal with a total lift of 165 kg, while Mina Singh of Odisha claimed bronze with 161 kg.
In other weightlifting events, Odisha’s Bidu Smita Bhoi won gold in the women’s 63 kg category with a total lift of 195 kg. Mizoram’s MH Silvan Beharothatlo secured gold in the men’s 71 kg category, while Arunachal Pradesh’s Richin Chongruju topped the men’s 79 kg category to claim another gold for his state.
The third day also witnessed the opening of gold medal accounts for Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. Maharashtra’s Tanvi Dhurve clinched gold in the women’s 100m butterfly event, while Arunachal Pradesh celebrated victories in weightlifting through Anai Wangsu and Richin Chongruju.
Meanwhile, women’s hockey matches played at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur produced a series of one-sided yet impressive victories. Madhya Pradesh registered a dominant 9–0 win over Bihar, Jharkhand delivered a commanding 16–0 victory against Gujarat, and Odisha defeated Tamil Nadu 14–0, reflecting the high competitive intensity of the tournament.
The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games has brought together nearly 3,800 athletes from 30 states and Union Territories, competing across nine disciplines including archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting and wrestling. A total of 106 gold medals will be awarded during the Games, while Mallakhamb and Kabaddi are being showcased as demonstration sports.
The event is rapidly emerging as a major national platform for tribal athletes, providing them an opportunity to showcase their talent and gain exposure at the national level while strengthening India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem.
The next major highlight of the Games will be the wrestling competitions scheduled to begin from March 28 at Gandhi Stadium in Ambikapur, Surguja district. Around 144 wrestlers, both men and women, representing nearly 30 states including Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and host Chhattisgarh, will compete over the next four days. The bouts will be organised in three sessions daily to ensure smooth conduct of the matches and greater spectator participation.
The competitions are also being telecast live on DD Sports and Prasar Bharati, allowing viewers across the country to witness the celebration of tribal sporting excellence and the rise of promising athletes from across India. With several events still to be contested, the coming days of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 are expected to produce many more thrilling performances and memorable sporting moments.
