The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) got off to a compelling start at the International Swimming Complex in Raipur, with Karnataka asserting early dominance in the pool.
On a day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem, Karnataka’s Dhoneesh N and Odisha’s Anjali Munda etched their names in history as the first gold medallists of the Games.
While Dhoneesh claimed the men’s 200m freestyle title with authority, Anjali delivered a composed performance to win the women’s event in a closely contested race. Their victories set the tone for a day largely dominated by Karnataka swimmers, who secured five of the six gold medals on offer.
Dhoneesh opens India’s medal account
The spotlight of the opening day belonged to Dhoneesh N, who became the first athlete to win gold at the Khelo India Tribal Games. The Karnataka swimmer clocked 2:03.55s in the men’s 200m freestyle final, producing a performance that stood out for both control and margin. He finished nearly seven seconds ahead of his closest competitor, teammate Keerthan Sharat (2:10.99s), underlining the gap in quality on the day. Maharashtra’s Bhaktish Kumre secured bronze with a time of 2:14.73s.
Despite the comfortable victory, Dhoneesh remained measured in his assessment. “It feels special to win the first gold medal of these Games. I believe I could have delivered a better timing, but I am happy,” he said.
His performance not only opened the medal tally for the Games but also established Karnataka’s early intent to dominate the swimming competition.
Anjali Munda delivers for Odisha
If Dhoneesh’s win was defined by dominance, Anjali Munda’s gold in the women’s 200m freestyle was shaped by composure under pressure. The Odisha swimmer clocked 2:39.02s to edge past Karnataka’s Nidhi S, who finished just 0.07 seconds behind at 2:39.09s.
The narrow margin reflected the intensity of the race, with both swimmers pushing each other through the final stretch. Odisha’s Sriya Padiami added to the state’s tally by securing bronze in 2:49.04s. Anjali’s victory carried additional significance as it prevented a complete Karnataka sweep of the day’s gold medals in swimming, highlighting Odisha’s competitiveness in the pool.
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Beyond the headline performances, Karnataka’s depth in swimming was evident across events. The state clinched five of the six gold medals, with Manikanta L and Mehanjali emerging as standout performers with two gold medals each.
Manikanta delivered a commanding performance in the men’s 100m breaststroke, clocking 1:07.41s. Maharashtra’s Palash Thakur (1:11.69s) took silver, while Chhattisgarh’s Nikhil Xalco secured bronze with 1:11.77s, earning the host state its first medal of the Games. Manikanta returned to the pool later to win the 50m butterfly in 27.06s, completing a double on the opening day. Assam’s Firmino Emon Lalung (27.69s) and Tripura’s Riyaj Tripura (28.48s) finished second and third respectively.
In the women’s events, Mehanjali mirrored that dominance. She clinched gold in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:25.81s, comfortably ahead of Chhattisgarh’s Anushka Bhagat (1:29.10s), who secured silver. Odisha’s Rinky Murmu took bronze in 1:34.70s.
Mehanjali then added a second gold in the 50m butterfly, clocking 34.67s. Tripura’s Tiluttam Jamatia (34.85s) and Odisha’s Ritika Minz (35.54s) completed the podium.
Hosts make a steady start
For hosts Chhattisgarh, the opening day provided encouraging signs despite Karnataka’s dominance. The state secured a silver through Anushka Bhagat in the women’s 100m breaststroke and a bronze via Nikhil Xalco in the men’s 100m breaststroke. These early medals not only boosted the host contingent’s morale but also demonstrated their ability to compete across disciplines.
At the end of Day 1, Karnataka led the medal tally with seven medals, including five golds, reinforcing their position as the early frontrunners. Odisha followed in second place with four medals, including one gold, while Chhattisgarh occupied fourth position with two medals.
The scale of the Games adds further context to these performances. With participation from 30 states and Union Territories and nearly 3,800 athletes competing across nine disciplines, the Khelo India Tribal Games represent a significant step in identifying and nurturing talent from tribal communities.
A total of 106 gold medals will be awarded across sports such as athletics, swimming, football, hockey, weightlifting, wrestling, and archery, alongside demonstration events like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi.
The opening day in Raipur was not just about medals it was about setting the tone for a platform designed to bridge gaps in access and opportunity. Performances by athletes like Dhoneesh, Anjali, Manikanta, and Mehanjali highlight the depth of talent that exists beyond traditional sporting centres.
As the competition progresses, the focus will shift from early dominance to sustained performance across disciplines. For now, Karnataka have laid down a strong marker, but with multiple events still to come, the medal race remains wide open.
The Khelo India Tribal Games have begun with clarity of purpose, potential, and performance.
