Coimbatore Students Shine at Indo-Nepal Silambam Championship 2026

Historic Gold Medal Wins

A remarkable achievement was celebrated by 18 students from Coimbatore at the Indo-Nepal International Silambam Championship 2026, which took place at the Rangasala Stadium in Pokhara, Nepal. Competing in various events such as Single Stick, Double Stick, Sword Spinning, Spear Throwing, Deer Horn Throwing, and Stick Fighting, these young athletes showcased their skills across categories ranging from Under-7 to Senior. All participants returned home with gold medals in their respective divisions during the championship held from May 8 to 12.

A Call for Recognition

Adyan, one of the gold medalists, expressed his pride in representing India and emphasized the need for Silambam, a traditional sport from Tamil Nadu, to gain international recognition. He acknowledged the support of his coach, Mohan, and described the competition as intense. Adyan urged the government to officially recognize Silambam, stating, "Winning a gold medal for India fills me with pride. Silambam is a cultural sport that deserves to be known worldwide. The competition was fierce, and my coach, Mohan sir, was instrumental in our success. We hope the government will support this traditional sport that has been passed down through generations."

Path to International Success

Mohan's Academy, which has been training students in Silambam and athletics for over eight years, has successfully trained more than 1,200 students. The School Games and Activity Development Foundation, operating under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, organizes competitions with backing from NITI Aayog and the Central Government's Fit India Movement. Over 50 students from the academy participated in district and state-level Silambam competitions organized by the foundation, with 25 qualifying for national events.

These 25 students later competed in the national Silambam Championship in Goa on January 25, achieving significant victories in various events, including Single Stick, Double Stick, Swordplay, Spear Throwing, Deer Antler Techniques, and Stick Fighting. Their success at the national level led to 18 students representing India at the Indo-Nepal International Championship 2026.

Upcoming Challenges

The students have also been selected to compete in the forthcoming Asian Silambam Championship, scheduled to take place in Thailand. Following their impressive performance on the international stage, they returned to Coimbatore on Friday night via the Uday Express, with a stop in New Delhi.