Shillong, Sept 14: Meghalaya’s emerging swimming talent took centre stage as the inaugural True North Open Swimming Competition and Masters Meet concluded on Saturday at the True North Leisure Centre in Lapalang, Shillong.
The two-day competition brought together more than 100 swimmers from across the state, with participants ranging from children as young as six to senior competitors. More than 100 individual and relay events were conducted during the meet, providing swimmers across age groups an opportunity to compete and showcase their skills.
Rajya Sabha MP for Meghalaya James PK Sangma attended the concluding day as chief guest and presented the Best Swimmer awards to the standout performers in the different categories.
Among the youngest winners were Theodore J Ch Marak and Hanania E Kharkongor, who were adjudged the Best Swimmers in the male and female Category 1 sections respectively. In the Senior Category, Banpynshngain Syngwan emerged as the Best Swimmer in the men’s section after collecting a rich haul of gold medals.
Another notable performer was Verem Gedaliah Nongsiej, who represented True North and was named Best Swimmer in the female Category 4. Nongsiej had earlier won a bronze medal for Meghalaya at the first Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in March.
However, the most memorable moment of the concluding day came outside the competitive events, when para swimmer Iarapborlang Chyne took to the pool for a special demonstration.
Chyne underwent quadruple amputation following an accident and has been undergoing rehabilitation at the PMR Centre in Laban. He has since begun training as a para sprinter and recently took up swimming at True North. Despite having completed only seven swimming lessons, he entered the pool on Saturday and swam an entire 25-metre lap using the backstroke.
His achievement was greeted by a thunderous round of applause from those present, turning the demonstration into one of the defining moments of the inaugural meet.
The event thus highlighted not only Meghalaya’s growing pool of competitive swimming talent but also the wider role that accessible sporting facilities can play in rehabilitation, physical activity and the development of life skills.
Best Swimmer awardees:
Category 1 – Theodore J Ch Marak (male), Hanania E Kharkongor (female)
Category 2 – Issac FC Kharsati & Asher W Lyngdoh (male), Naphisa D Ksoo (female)
Category 3 – Ezra A Khonglam (male), Ira N Wahlang (female)
Category 4 – Meiaipynsan Lyngdoh Tron (male), Verem G Nongsiej (female)
Category 5 – Elhanan J Kharwar (male), Tvisha Jalewa (female)
Category 6 – Shaun M Diengdoh (male)
Senior – Banpynshngain Syngwan (male)
Best Swimmer awardees (Masters):
Category A – William Sangma (male), Glarcenda Z Wahlang (female)
Category B – Rimiki Lyngdoh (male), Mebashisha L Lyngdoh (female)
Category C – Ardonister Lyngdoh (male), Gracia M Diengdoh (female)
Category D – Robert Lyngdoh (male)
Category E – Mario Hek (male), Merry S Syiem (female)
Category F – Keith R Syiemlieh (male)
