Bethlyne Makri Shines in Race Walking at Khelo India Tribal Games

Bethlyne Grace Makri, a young athlete from Meghalaya, has made headlines by winning a bronze medal in race walking at the Khelo India Tribal Games. Transitioning from middle-distance running to race walking posed significant challenges, but with the support of her coaches and family, she persevered. Her remarkable achievement not only highlights her dedication but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in her region. As the first race walker from Meghalaya to earn a national medal, Bethlyne hopes to encourage more youngsters to take up the sport professionally.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 1, 2026, 16:52 IST

Bethlyne Makri's Journey to Success

File image of Bethlyne Makri(Photo: IANS)

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), April 1: On December 29, 2025, coaches at the SAI Sports Training Centre (STC) in Shillong noticed a remarkable potential in Bethlyne Grace Makri as a race walker, despite her limited knowledge of the sport's technicalities.

Previously, the young athlete from Meghalaya participated in middle- and long-distance running events. However, at the start of 2026, she was encouraged to switch to race walking, which tested her physical and mental limits.

Belonging to the Khasi tribe, Bethlyne encountered significant challenges during this transition. The initial weeks were particularly tough, marked by severe lower-body pain and difficulties in mastering the new race walking technique. She faced many sleepless nights, leading to self-doubt about her decision.

With unwavering support from her coaches and family, Bethlyne decided to embrace the challenge. As the youngest and only daughter among three siblings, she concentrated on perfecting her skills before competing in the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Jagdalpur.

“The first two weeks were incredibly challenging, especially for my lower body. The technical aspects of race walking differ greatly from middle or long-distance running, which made it hard for me to adapt. I experienced sleepless nights and moments of anxiety, leading me to question my choice,” she reflected.

However, her hard work paid off on Wednesday when she finished the women's race walk in 1:05:18, securing a bronze medal, just behind Jharkhand’s Neha Xalxo (1:04:02) and Odisha’s Alish Ekka (1:04:59).

After her victory, Bethlyne credited her success to the unwavering encouragement from her coaches and family. “My coaches and family were my pillars of support, motivating me to keep going. I decided to give it a try, and here I am today. While there’s room for growth, this was the perfect start I needed,” she expressed.

“Winning the bronze medal at the Khelo India Tribal Games reflects the dedication, faith, and support from my coaches and family, and it serves as a confidence booster for my future in this sport,” she added.

Currently a second-year BA student at Shillong College, Bethlyne takes pride in being the first race walker from Meghalaya to achieve a national-level medal. “There are no other race walkers from Meghalaya, and I hope my achievement at Khelo India inspires young people to consider pursuing this sport professionally. I have also started to enjoy it,” she said with a smile.