Karnataka maintains lead as rain disrupts Khelo India Tribal Games in Chhattisgarh

RAIPUR: Arunachal Pradesh’s Nedi Ngi won gold in the women’s 5,000m with a strong finishing sprint, while Maharashtra dominated the men’s event with a 1-2 finish on day six of the Khelo India Tribal Games, where rain disrupted athletics and Karnataka extended its lead in the medal tally through wrestling successes.

Arunachal Pradesh middle-distance runner Ngi clinched gold in the women’s 5,000m race, while Maharashtra secured a top-two finish in the men’s category on day six of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh. Unseasonal rain in Jagdalpur forced officials to cancel the evening session of the athletics competitions on Monday.

Ngi maintained a steady pace for most of the race before executing a powerful sprint in the final 200m to finish at 18:24.66 seconds. In the men's 5,000m event, Maharashtra’s Govind Padekar clocked 15:11.35 seconds to win gold, followed closely by teammate Suraj Mashi at 15:11.64 seconds for the silver.

"I am returning to competition after focusing on my academy training and I am happy to win gold here," Ngi told media. She added that having completed her graduation, her focus has shifted to securing a spot in the national camp and representing the Indian team in international meets.

The victory helped Arunachal Pradesh consolidate third place in the medals tally with six gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.

Karnataka extended its lead at the top of the table following two gold medals in wrestling bouts held in Ambikapur. Rohan Doddamani secured the state's first non-swimming gold by defeating Rajasthan’s Dinesh Solanki on technical superiority in the 60kg Greco-Roman final.

In a closely contested women's 76kg bout, Manisha defeated Himachal Pradesh’s Muskan 12-8 to add another gold to Karnataka’s tally. The state now leads with 17 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals. Odisha remains in second place with nine gold, four silver, and 10 bronze medals.

Bihar opened its gold medal account through Mulayam Kharwar, who defeated Rajasthan’s Rakesh Meena in a one-sided 65kg freestyle final.

Results

Athletics

Women's 5,000m: Gold – Nedi Ngi (Arunachal Pradesh) 18:24.66s; Silver – Aarti Dawar (Madhya Pradesh) 18:29.28s; Bronze – Tsuchoi T (Nagaland) 18:35.60s.

Men's 5,000m: Gold – Govind Padekar (Maharashtra) 15:11.35s; Silver – Suraj Mashi (Maharashtra) 15:11.64s; Bronze – Ranglal Dodiyar (Madhya Pradesh) 15:22.48s.

Wrestling

Women's 76kg: Gold – Manisha Siddi (Karnataka); Silver – Muskan (Himachal Pradesh).

Men's 65kg Freestyle: Gold – Mulayam Kharwar (Bihar); Silver – Rakesh Meena (Rajasthan).

Men's 60kg Greco-Roman: Gold – Rohan Doddamani (Karnataka); Silver – Dinesh Solanki (Rajasthan).