Shillong, July 9: Nagaland were crowned overall champions while hosts Meghalaya finished as 1st runners-up of the 14th Senior National Pencak Silat Championship 2026, which concluded on Wednesday.
Nagaland topped the medal standings with six gold, two silver and one bronze medal. Meghalaya secured second place with four gold, two silver and six bronze medals, while the All India Police Sports Control Board finished third with four gold, two silver and one bronze.
For Meghalaya, the runners-up finish marks another major milestone for the Meghalaya Pencak Silat Association (MPSA), which was formed only about a year ago. Earlier this year, the association emerged overall champions at the Senior National Khelo India ASMITA Pencak Silat League 2025-26 for women, making this its second major national success in just a few months.
The three-day championship was held at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Centre on the NEHU campus in Shillong and featured around 1,500 athletes representing 36 states, Union Territories and sports boards. The event was organised by the Indian Pencak Silat Federation (IPSF) in collaboration with the MPSA, with competitions held in the seni (artistic) and tanding (combat) disciplines.
Pencak Silat, a traditional Indonesian martial art that is part of the Asian Games programme, is also expected to feature in the 39th National Games, which Meghalaya will host next year.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Nongpoh MLA and Chairman of the Meghalaya State Health Advisory Board, Mayralborn Syiem, expressed hope that the discipline would be included in the National Games.
Looking at the athletes gathered from across the country, Syiem said the championship celebrated India’s diversity. “I know that you athletes will take many joyous memories home with you, not just from the tournament but also from our beautiful state,” he said.
Meghalaya’s gold medals were won by Banrilang Muktieh in the women’s tanding -65kg category, Tobias Klein and Philip Khymdeit in the men’s seni ganda event, and Rimchi Sangma in the women’s seni tunggal event.
The state’s silver medallists were Viviana Mallai (women’s tanding -70kg) and Tapash Rabha (men’s tanding -85kg).
Bronze medals were claimed by Khamtimon Rympei (women’s tanding -80kg), Domonika Syiem (women’s tanding -60kg), Iohdahun Klein (women’s tanding -55kg), Anthony Shadap (men’s tanding -55kg), Sundayrius Khymdeit (men’s tanding -60kg) and Moon Moon Rabha (men’s tanding -70kg).
The Meghalaya contingent was coached by Thomas Rangthaluh, while Balamlang Khriam served as team manager.
The runners-up finish further establishes Meghalaya as one of the country’s emerging Pencak Silat powerhouses. In just over a year, the MPSA has guided the state to consecutive national successes, signalling growing strength ahead of the National Games and future international competitions.
