Shillong, Sept 17: Ri-Bhoi District Sports Association finished on top of the medal table at the Meghalaya State Senior Athletics Championship 2026, which concluded at the Sports Authority of India centre on the NEHU Shillong campus on Wednesday.
Ri-Bhoi won nine gold, seven silver and seven bronze medals to take the top spot in the three-day championship. West Jaintia Hills finished second with seven gold, six silver and two bronze medals, while East Khasi Hills came third with five gold, five silver and two bronze medals.
The championship was held in Meghalaya after a gap of 18 years and saw 267 athletes taking part. All 12 districts won at least two medals during the three-day event.
The Best Athlete awards went to Eliam Bonkam G Sangma of South West Garo Hills in the men’s category and Phibakmen Rynghang of Ri-Bhoi in the women’s category.
Lastly Suchiang of East Jaintia Hills and Monlangki Kyndait of West Jaintia Hills were named the Most Promising Athletes in the men’s and women’s categories respectively.
The closing ceremony was attended by Australia’s Olympic gold medallist and former heptathlete Glynis Leanne Nunn as the chief guest. Meghalaya State Olympic Association Working President John F Kharshiing was the guest of honour.
Nunn, who represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, is currently in Meghalaya working with the Meghalaya State Olympic Association and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs to help develop local sporting talent ahead of the 39th National Games next year.
Speaking to the athletes, Nunn shared her own journey from Toowoomba, a small town in Australia, to the Olympic Games. She encouraged the athletes to remain committed, dedicated and resilient in their sporting careers.
She also spoke about the importance of learning from both victories and defeats and encouraged the athletes to enjoy their sport.
Kharshiing said athletics and sport are important not only for winning medals but also for maintaining fitness and building a career.
He encouraged the athletes to return to their respective districts and motivate more young people to take up athletics.
With Meghalaya set to host the National Games next year, Kharshiing said the state would look to compete strongly against athletes from across the country.
