- Arunachal Pradesh men and Assam women overall champions in weightlifting competition
- Players from Chhattisgarh also made their mark, Rishika Kashyap won silver and Lucky Babu Markam won bronze.
With the conclusion of the weightlifting competition under the India Tribal Games 2026, the results of the team championship were also announced. In the men’s category, Arunachal Pradesh achieved the honor of becoming the overall champion. Mizoram was the first runner-up and Assam was the second runner-up. In the women’s category, Assam performed brilliantly and won the title of overall champion, while Odisha was the first runner-up and Chhattisgarh was the second runner-up.
The weightlifting competitions under the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, held at Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, concluded today with a grand finale. Throughout the event, athletes from across the country enthralled the audience with their excellent displays of strength, technique, and confidence. Chhattisgarh’s Forest and Climate Change Minister, Mr. Kedar Kashyap, and Raipur Mayor, Mrs. Meenal Choubey, were specially present at the closing ceremony. They met and encouraged the athletes, and honored the winners with medals. They also wished the athletes a bright future.
In the men’s 110 kg category, Sambo Lapung of Arunachal Pradesh won the gold medal with a lift of 299 kg. David Lalzawmdika of Mizoram took the silver with a lift of 270 kg, and Lucky Babu Markam of Chhattisgarh won the bronze with a lift of 261 kg. Lucky Babu’s performance was a proud moment for the home crowd.
In the men’s 110+ kg category, David Zohmingmawia of Mizoram won the gold medal with a lift of 290 kg. Gugulothu Raja Sekhar of Andhra Pradesh (255 kg) took the silver, and Manash Pratim Sonwal of Assam (223 kg) won the bronze. This category saw intense competition among the athletes.
The matches in the women’s category were also very exciting. In the 86 kg category, Sakshi Bandu Burkule of Maharashtra won the gold medal by lifting 150 kg. Rishika Kashyap of Chhattisgarh performed brilliantly and won the silver medal by lifting 121 kg and gave the credit of her medal to her coach. Bitupuna Deori of Assam won the bronze medal. In another women’s category above 86 kg, Zosangjuali of Mizoram won the gold medal with 140 kg, while Pinky Boro of Assam and Gunjan Uikey of Madhya Pradesh won the silver and bronze medals respectively.
Players from Chhattisgarh also made a strong presence in this competition. After his performance, Lucky Babu Markam said that hosting the Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh is a major opportunity for the rural and tribal youth of the state. This will inspire them to see the big stage and move forward.
Throughout the event, technical arrangements were well-organized, and competitions were conducted in a transparent manner. The enthusiasm of the spectators also energized the athletes’ performances. The weightlifting events at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 proved that the country’s tribal regions possess immense sporting talent, capable of making a national mark if given the right platform and opportunity.