Arunachal Pradesh Weightlifters Dominate at Khelo India Tribal Games 2026
The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, held in Raipur on Saturday, witnessed outstanding performances from weightlifters across the nation, with athletes from Arunachal Pradesh particularly shining on the podium.
Gold Medal Triumph in Men's 88kg Category
Arunachal Pradesh's Ruba Tadu secured the gold medal in the men's 88kg category with a commanding combined lift of 274 kilograms. Tadu demonstrated exceptional strength, recording 117kg in the snatch and an impressive 157kg in the clean and jerk to claim the top spot.
Andhra Pradesh's Devarakonda Prem Sagar earned the silver medal with a total lift of 270kg, while Soram Hitler Tagru, also representing Arunachal Pradesh, captured the bronze medal with a combined effort of 262kg.
Additional Competitors in the 88kg Division
The competition featured strong participation from several other athletes, including:
- Daniel Jamatia from Tripura with a total lift of 192kg
- Alister Gomes representing Goa with 152kg
- Siddaboina Naveen of Telangana with 146kg
- Chhatrapal Thakur from host state Chhattisgarh with 130kg
Arunachal's Second Gold in Men's 94kg Category
Continuing the winning streak for Arunachal Pradesh, Lalu Taku clinched another gold medal in the men's 94kg category. Taku dominated the field with a total lift of 250kg, comprising 110kg in the snatch and 140kg in the clean and jerk.
Andhra Pradesh's K P Manishankar secured the silver medal with a combined lift of 244kg, achieved through 106kg in snatch and 138kg in clean and jerk. Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh's Viravi Khusro finished in seventh position with a total lift of 160kg.
Significance of the Tribal Games
The Khelo India Tribal Games serve as a crucial platform for showcasing athletic talent from tribal communities across India. The 2026 edition in Raipur has highlighted the exceptional weightlifting prowess emerging from northeastern states, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, which claimed multiple gold medals in the men's categories.
The event underscores the growing depth of weightlifting talent in India's tribal regions and provides valuable competitive experience for athletes aspiring to represent the nation in international competitions.
