The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 continued to showcase exceptional talent and competitive spirit, with impressive performances in weightlifting and dominant victories in women’s hockey highlighting the growing strength of Tribal athletes.
At the sports complex of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in Raipur, Anai Wangsu of Arunachal Pradesh clinched the gold medal in the Senior Women’s 58 kg weightlifting category. Wangsu recorded a total lift of 169 kg, including 74 kg in snatch and 95 kg in clean and jerk, displaying remarkable strength and technique.
Mina Santa of Odisha secured the silver medal with a total lift of 165 kg, while Mina Singh added a bronze medal to Odisha’s tally with 161 kg. The competition also witnessed notable efforts from athletes representing Assam and Andhra Pradesh, reflecting the depth of talent across participating states.
Meanwhile, women’s hockey matches at Raipur’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium saw emphatic victories. Madhya Pradesh defeated Bihar 9–0, Jharkhand recorded a commanding 16–0 win over Gujarat, and Odisha outplayed Tamil Nadu 14–0, underlining the competitive intensity of the tournament.
The Games have drawn participation from around 3,800 athletes representing 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, while Mallakhamb and Kabaddi are being showcased as demonstration events. The event is emerging as a significant national platform for athletes from tribal communities, celebrating excellence and expanding opportunities in Indian sport.
Meanwhile, the spotlight now shifts to Ambikapur in Surguja, where wrestling competitions will begin from March 28 at Gandhi Stadium. A total of 144 wrestlers, both men and women, from about 30 states including Jammu and Kashmir, Maharashtra and host Chhattisgarh will compete over four days. Matches will be conducted in three daily sessions to ensure smooth participation and spectator engagement.
The competitions will be telecast live on DD Sports and Prasar Bharati, enabling audiences across the country to witness the celebration of tribal sporting excellence. With record-breaking performances and high-energy contests ahead, the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 continue to inspire emerging athletes and strengthen India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem.