Arunachal’s Nedi Ngi and Maharashtra’s Govind Padekar win 5000m gold at Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. Karnataka dominates medals tally as rains disrupt events, highlighting rising tribal sports talent and intense national competition.
The sixth day of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 witnessed thrilling performances and unexpected interruptions as athletes battled for supremacy across disciplines. Arunachal Pradesh’s rising star Nedi Ngi and Maharashtra’s long-distance runner Govind Padekar emerged as standout performers, clinching gold medals in the women’s and men’s 5000m races respectively, before unseasonal rains forced organisers to cancel the evening athletics session.
In the women’s 5000m final, Nedi Ngi displayed remarkable patience and tactical brilliance. Holding back for most of the race, she surged ahead in the final lap, unleashing a powerful sprint in the last 200 meters to secure gold with a timing of 18:24.66 seconds. Her calculated approach paid dividends, reaffirming her reputation as one of the most promising middle-distance runners from Arunachal Pradesh.
Speaking after her victory, Ngi expressed her determination to scale greater heights. She revealed that after completing her graduation and focusing on training academies, her next goal is to enter the national camp and represent India at major international competitions.
The men’s 5000m race saw a dominant display by Maharashtra athletes, who executed a near-perfect race strategy. Govind Padekar clinched gold with a time of 15:11.35 seconds, narrowly edging out his teammate Suraj Mashi, who secured silver with 15:11.64 seconds. The 1-2 finish highlighted Maharashtra’s depth in long-distance running and their growing dominance in track events.
Ngi’s gold medal significantly boosted Arunachal Pradesh’s standing in the overall medals tally. The state now holds the third position with six gold, one silver, and two bronze medals, showcasing a strong presence at the Games.
Meanwhile, Karnataka continued its dominance at the top of the leaderboard. The state added two more gold medals from wrestling competitions held in Ambikapur. Rohan Doddamani secured a decisive victory over Rajasthan’s Dinesh Solanki in the 60kg Greco-Roman final through technical superiority, marking Karnataka’s first gold outside swimming events.
Manisha further strengthened Karnataka’s lead by winning the women’s bout with a hard-fought 12-8 victory against Himachal Pradesh’s Muskam. With these victories, Karnataka’s medal tally surged to 17 gold, six silver, and five bronze medals, firmly cementing their position at the top.
Odisha maintained its second-place standing with nine gold, four silver, and ten bronze medals. The state also showcased its dominance in hockey at the international stadium in Raipur. In the semi-finals, Odisha delivered a commanding 8-0 victory over Madhya Pradesh, while Mizoram edged past Jharkhand 3-2 in a closely contested match. The two teams are now set to face off in the final, promising an exciting showdown.
In wrestling, Bihar celebrated a breakthrough moment as Mulayam Kharwar secured the state’s first gold of the day with a commanding win over Rajasthan’s Rakesh Meena in the men’s 65kg freestyle final. Karnataka’s KV Kemppannavar claimed the bronze in the same category.
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Despite the rain disruption, Day 6 of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 highlighted the exceptional talent emerging from tribal communities across India. With intense competition, inspiring comeback stories, and record-breaking performances, the Games continue to serve as a vital platform for nurturing future national and international champions.
