Shillong, Sep 16: Ri-Bhoi emerged overall champions at the Meghalaya State Senior Athletics Championship 2026 which concluded on Wednesday at the SAI Centre, NEHU campus, marking the return of the state meet after 18 years.
Ri-Bhoi topped the medal tally with 9 gold, 7 silver and 7 bronze. West Jaintia Hills finished a close second with 7 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze, followed by East Khasi Hills in third place with 5 gold, 5 silver and 2 bronze. All 12 districts won at least two medals each in the three-day championship that saw 267 athletes in action.
South West Garo Hills athlete Eliam Bonkam G Sangma and Ri-Bhoi’s Phibakmen Rynghang were adjudged Best Athletes in male and female categories respectively, while Lastly Suchiang of East Jaintia Hills and Monlangki Kyndait of West Jaintia Hills were named Most Promising Athletes.
Olympic gold medallist Glynis Leanne Nunn of Australia, who won the heptathlon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony. Meghalaya State Olympic Association Working President John F Kharshiing was the guest of honour.
Nunn, who hails from the small town of Toowoomba with a population of just 1.5 lakh, is in the state to share her expertise with local talent through the MSOA and Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs ahead of the 39th National Games to be hosted by Meghalaya next year.
Encouraging the athletes, she said commitment and resilience can take them to the Olympics. “I was so excited to see some wonderful performances. I came from a small country town, so it can be done provided you have commitment, dedication and resilience,” she said.
Kharshiing said sport is an investment in fitness and career and hoped Meghalaya will rise to the occasion at the National Games, noting the continued investment in sports by the Chief Minister and Sports Minister.
