Karnataka Shines at Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 with Swimming Golds

Karnataka Dominates Day One of Khelo India Tribal Games

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) [India], March 25: In a remarkable display of talent, Karnataka's Dhoneesh N and Odisha's Anjali Munda secured the first gold medals at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, excelling in the men's and women's 200m freestyle events held at the International Swimming Complex on Wednesday.

As reported by the organizing committee, Karnataka showcased its prowess by winning five out of the six gold medals available on the first day of competition. Meanwhile, the host state, Chhattisgarh, also made its mark by earning a silver and a bronze in the men's and women's 100m breaststroke events.

This inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games features participation from thirty states and Union Territories, with nearly 3,800 athletes competing across nine sports disciplines. A total of 106 gold medals will be awarded in events including archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling, while traditional sports like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi will be showcased as demonstration events.

After the first day of events, Karnataka leads the medal tally with seven medals, comprising five golds. Odisha follows in second place with four medals, including one gold, while Chhattisgarh ranks fourth with two medals.

In the men's 200m freestyle final, Dhoneesh clocked an impressive 2:03.55s, finishing nearly seven seconds ahead of his teammate Keerthan Sharat, who secured the silver with a time of 2:10.99s. Maharashtra's Bhaktish Kumre took home the bronze with a time of 2:14.73s.

"This is my first Khelo India Games, and it feels truly special to win the very first gold medal of these Games. I believe I could have delivered a better timing, but I am happy," Dhoneesh expressed after his victory.

In the women's 200m freestyle, Odisha's Anjali clinched gold with a time of 2:39.02s, narrowly beating Karnataka's Nidhi S, who finished with a silver time of 2:39.09s. Sriya Padiami from Odisha secured the bronze with a time of 2:49.04s.

Karnataka continued its dominance in subsequent races, with Manikanta L and Mehanjali each winning two gold medals in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly events.

Manikanta won the men's 100m breaststroke gold with a time of 1:07.41s, while silver went to Maharashtra's Palash Thakur (1:11.69s), and Chhattisgarh's Nikhil Xalco earned bronze with a time of 1:11.77s.

He later returned to the pool to secure gold in the 50m butterfly with a time of 27.06s, followed by Assam's Firmino Emon Lalung (27.69s) and Tripura's Riyaj Tripura (28.48s) taking silver and bronze, respectively.

In the women's events, Mehanjali proved unbeatable, winning gold in both the 100m breaststroke (1:25.81s) and the 50m butterfly (34.67s). Chhattisgarh's Anushka Bhagat took silver in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:29.10s.

Results (All finals)

SWIMMING

Women:

200m Freestyle: Gold – Anjali Munda (Odisha) 2:39.02s; Silver – Nidhi S (Karnataka) 2:39.09s; Bronze – Sriya Padiami (Odisha) 2:49.04s

100m Breaststroke: Gold – Mehanjali (Karnataka) 1:25.81s; Silver – Anushka Bhagat (Chhattisgarh) 1:29.10s; Bronze – Rinky Murmu (Odisha) 1:34.70s

50m Butterfly: Gold – Mehanjali (Karnataka) 34.67s; Silver – Tiluttam Jamatia (Tripura) 34.85s; Bronze – Ritika Minz (Odisha) 35.54s

Men:

200m Freestyle: Gold – Dhoneesh N (Karnataka) 2:03.55s; Silver – Keerthan Sharat (Karnataka) 2:10.99s; Bronze – Bhaktish Kumre (Maharashtra) 2:14.73s

100m Breaststroke: Gold – Manikanta L (Karnataka) 1:07.41s; Silver – Palash Manoj Thakur (Maharashtra) 1:11.69s; Bronze – Nikhil Xalco (Chhattisgarh) 1:11.77s

50m Butterfly: Gold – Manikanta L (Karnataka) 27.06s; Silver – Firmino Emon Lalung (Assam) 27.69s; Bronze – Riyaj Tripura (Tripura) 28.48s.