Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Nedi Ngi Shines in 5000m, Karnataka Dominates Medal Tally
In the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, held on Monday, Arunachal Pradesh's middle-distance runner Nedi Ngi secured the gold in the women's 5000m event. Meanwhile, Maharashtra achieved a remarkable one-two finish in the men's 5000m category before unseasonal rains led to the cancellation of the evening athletics session on the sixth day of the competition.
Ngi strategically paced herself until the final lap, where she surged ahead in the last 200m, finishing with a time of 18:24.66 seconds. In the men's race, Maharashtra's Govind Padekar and Suraj Mashi clocked 15:11.35 seconds and 15:11.64 seconds, respectively, to claim gold and silver.
"I am thrilled to win the gold medal here after focusing on my studies. Now that I have graduated, my goal is to join the National Camp and aim for a spot on the Indian team for major competitions," Ngi expressed to SAI Media following her victory.
Ngi's victory contributed to Arunachal Pradesh's strong position in the medal standings, where they currently hold six golds, one silver, and two bronzes, placing them third overall. Karnataka, however, has extended its lead at the top of the medal tally, thanks to two golds earned in wrestling events in Ambikapur.
Rohan Doddamani secured Karnataka's first gold outside of swimming by defeating Rajasthan's Dinesh Solanki in the 60kg Greco Roman final. Manisha also added to Karnataka's tally with a hard-fought 12-8 victory over Muskam from Himachal Pradesh.
Karnataka now boasts a total of 17 golds, six silvers, and five bronzes, while Odisha remains in second place with nine golds, four silvers, and ten bronzes.
Additionally, Mulayam Kharwar earned Bihar's first gold of the day with a decisive win against Rakesh Meena from Rajasthan in the men's 65kg freestyle final, with KV Kemppannavar from Karnataka taking home the bronze.
In hockey, Odisha has set up a final showdown against Mizoram at the international hockey stadium in Raipur. Odisha dominated the semi-finals, defeating Madhya Pradesh 8-0, while Mizoram edged out Jharkhand with a close 3-2 victory.
Results Overview ATHLETICS
Women 5000m: Gold - Nedi Ngi (Arunachal Pradesh) 18:24.66s; Silver - Aarti Dawar (Madhya Pradesh) 18:29.28s; Bronze - Tsuchoi T (Nagaland) 18:35.60s.
Men 5000m: Gold - Govind Padekar (Maharashtra) 15:11.35s; Silver - Suraj Mashi (Maharashtra) 15:11.64s; Bronze - Ranglal Dodiyar (Madhya Pradesh) 15:22.48s.
HOCKEY (Semifinals)
Women: Mizoram bt Jharkhand 3-2; Odisha bt Madhya Pradesh 8-0.
WRESTLING
Women 53kg: Gold - Neha Oraon (Jharkhand); Silver - Pritima Khakhlary (Assam); Bronze - Mainari Khakhlary (Assam), Lalvenhimi (Mizoram).
76kg: Gold - Manisha Siddi (Karnataka); Silver - Muskan (Himachal Pradesh); Bronze - Lalhmangaihsangi (Mizoram).
Men 65kg FS: Gold - Mulayam Kharwar (Bihar); Silver - Rakesh Meena (Rajasthan); Bronze - KV Kemppannavar (Karnataka).
97kg FS: Gold - Hamam Hussain (J&K); Silver - Mohit Kumar (Himachal Pradesh); Bronze - Mohd Wasim Choudhary (J&K).
60kg GR: Gold - Rohan Doddamani (Karnataka); Silver - Dinesh Solanki (Rajasthan); Bronze - Juh Pa U Juh Nongtdu (Meghalaya).
87kg GR: Gold - Piyush Gujjar (Himachal Pradesh); Silver - Riyaz Hussain (J&K); Bronze - Tek Chand (Himachal Pradesh).