Khelo India Tribal Games
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 29: J&K today opened its medal account at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 by winning one gold and one silver medal in wrestling, with Munir Hussain and Shama Hoon delivering podium finishes on Day 5 of the national event.
Munir Hussain clinched gold in the men’s 74kg freestyle category after defeating Maharashtra’s Vikram Pawar 11-1 by technical superiority in the final, while Shama Hoon secured silver in the 97kg Greco-Roman category, losing to Himachal Pradesh’s Navish Kumar.
The medals came as wrestling competitions commenced in Ambikapur, marking J&K’s first success in the ongoing Games being held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Meanwhile, Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh dominated the opening day of wrestling, winning two gold medals each.
Jharkhand’s Poonam Oraon and Anjit Kumar Munda finished on top of the podium, while Himachal Pradesh’s Navish Kumar and Priyanka Chaudhary also secured gold medals.
In weightlifting, Mizoram concluded its campaign with two gold medals through Zosangzuali and David Zohmingmawia, taking its overall gold tally to four and moving to fifth position.
Arunachal Pradesh climbed to third place in the standings after Sambo Lapung won gold in the men’s 110kg category with a total lift of 299kg.
Maharashtra also added to its tally, with Sakshi Burkule winning gold in the women’s 86kg category and Vinod Salkar topping the men’s 125kg freestyle wrestling event.
Hosts Chhattisgarh secured a silver and a bronze in weightlifting but slipped to ninth position overall.
As per the latest medal tally, Karnataka continued to lead with 15 gold medals, followed by Odisha with nine gold, while Arunachal Pradesh occupied the third spot with five gold medals.
The Games, featuring tribal athletes from across India, are witnessing competitions across multiple disciplines, including wrestling and weightlifting, with events continuing in Raipur and Ambikapur.
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