Shillong, July 9: Nagaland may have lifted the overall trophy, but it was hosts Meghalaya who walked away with the biggest cheers as they stunned the field to finish runners-up at the 14th Senior National Pencak Silat Championship 2026.
The three-day championship at the SAI centre on the NEHU campus saw around 1,500 athletes from 36 states, UTs and sports boards compete in artistic and combat events. Nagaland topped the tally with 6 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal. Meghalaya, barely a year into the sport at the state level, followed with 4 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronzes. The All-India Police Sports Control Board took third with 4 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze.
The result marks the second big national success for the Meghalaya Pencak Silat Association this year. In March, the MPSA was crowned Overall Champions in the Senior National Khelo India ASMITA League for women.
On home mat, Meghalaya’s gold rush came from Banrilang Muktieh in the women’s -65kg tanding, the male ganda pair of Tobias Klein and Philip Khymdeit in seni, and Rimchi Sangma in women’s seni tunggal. Viviana Mallai in women’s -70kg and Tapash Rabha in men’s -85kg added silver, while six more bronze medals came through Khamtimon Rympei, Domonika Syiem, Iohdahun Klein, Anthony Shadap, Sundayrius Khymdeit and Moon Moon Rabha in various tanding categories. The team was guided by coach Thomas Rangthaluh and manager Balamlang Khriam.
Pencak Silat, an Indonesian martial art and an Asian Games sport, is pushing for inclusion in next year’s 39th National Games to be hosted by Meghalaya. Chief guest at the closing ceremony, Nongpoh MLA and Meghalaya State Health Advisory Board Chairman Mayralborn Syiem, voiced support for that push.
“This championship celebrates the diversity of India,” Syiem told the gathering. “I know you athletes will take many joyous memories home with you, not just from the tournament but also from our beautiful state.”
From no presence to back-to-back national podiums in under 12 months, Meghalaya’s rise signals serious intent. With the National Games on the horizon, the MPSA, its coaches and athletes now have their sights set on turning national success into international medals.
