The second day of the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) continued to underline the depth of talent emerging from India’s tribal heartlands, with Karnataka swimmer Manikanta L producing another dominant performance to complete a hat-trick of gold medals.
Alongside him, Odisha’s Anjali Munda secured her second gold, while host state Chhattisgarh found reason to celebrate through Anushka Bhagat’s consistent podium finish.
With close to 3,800 athletes representing 30 states and Union Territories, the scale and significance of the Games were once again evident. Across nine sporting disciplines and 106 gold medals on offer, KITG is steadily establishing itself as a vital platform in India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem.
Manikanta L: Dominance in the pool
The standout performer of the day was undoubtedly Manikanta L, who continued his exceptional run in the swimming pool. Having already secured gold medals in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly on the opening day, the Karnataka swimmer added a third title by clinching the men’s 200m individual medley.
Clocking 2:25.93s, Manikanta dominated the field with authority, once again demonstrating his versatility across strokes. His ability to maintain consistency across multiple events within a short span highlights both endurance and technical efficiency—traits that separate elite swimmers from the rest of the field.
Tripura’s Riyaj Tripura finished second with a time of 2:34.04s, while Odisha’s Kanhu Soren secured bronze in 2:36.21s. However, the race largely revolved around Manikanta, who has now emerged as one of the early stars of the Games.
Anjali Munda strengthens Odisha’s campaign
In the women’s 200m individual medley, Odisha’s Anjali Munda continued her impressive campaign by adding a second gold medal to her tally. Having already won the 200m freestyle on Day 1, Anjali clocked 2:53.82s to secure the top podium spot.
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Her performance was marked by control and composure, particularly in the latter stages of the race where she managed to maintain her lead despite pressure from the chasing pack. Chhattisgarh’s Anushka Bhagat finished second with a time of 2:59.33s, earning her second silver medal of the Games and giving the home crowd a moment to celebrate. Odisha’s Anjali Mallick completed the podium with a bronze in 3:06.13s.
Anjali Munda’s double gold has played a significant role in keeping Odisha firmly in contention on the medal table, underlining the state’s growing strength in swimming.
Medal tally: Karnataka take early lead
At the end of Day 2’s early events, Karnataka have surged to the top of the medal standings with six gold and two silver medals. Their dominance, particularly in swimming, has provided a strong foundation early in the competition.
Odisha follow in second place with three gold, one silver, and four bronze medals, showcasing a balanced performance across disciplines. With several events still to come, the battle at the top remains open, but Karnataka’s early momentum has set the benchmark.
While the pool saw dominant performances, the weightlifting arena delivered stories of resilience and determination.
Assam’s Monikha Sonowal emerged as one of the most inspiring athletes of the day. Competing in the women’s 48kg category, the 19-year-old clinched gold with a total lift of 132kg (57kg snatch, 75kg clean and jerk). What made her achievement remarkable was the fact that she entered the competition carrying a knee injury sustained during training three months ago.
Despite concerns from coaches, Monikha chose to compete and delivered under pressure. Her performance not only secured gold but also highlighted the mental toughness that defines elite athletes. Odisha’s Deepa Rani Mallik took silver with 120kg, while Alaaska Aleena of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands secured bronze with 115kg.
In the men’s 60kg category, Mizoram’s Isak Malsawmtluanga showcased similar resilience. Battling a back injury, he trailed after the snatch phase but produced a strong comeback in the clean and jerk, lifting 130kg to secure gold with a total of 235kg.
Jharkhand’s Babulal Hembrom finished second with 230kg, while Odisha’s Subrat Naik settled for bronze with 228kg. Malsawmtluanga’s ability to recover mid-competition under physical discomfort stood out as one of the defining moments of the day.
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Football action on Day 2 added further intensity to the Games. In Group A, hosts Chhattisgarh were held to a 1-1 draw by West Bengal in a closely contested encounter. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh secured a 2-0 victory over Goa in Group B, strengthening their position in the standings. Beyond results and medal tallies, the Khelo India Tribal Games represent a larger vision.
Designed to identify and nurture talent from tribal communities, the Games aim to bridge the gap between grassroots potential and elite sporting pathways.
The inclusion of both competitive and traditional sports ranging from athletics and swimming to Mallakhamb and Kabaddi reflects a holistic approach to sport development. It not only provides competitive exposure but also preserves indigenous sporting traditions. As the competition progresses, Day 2 has already set a strong narrative. From Manikanta’s dominance to Monikha and Malsawmtluanga’s resilience, the Games are witnessing performances that go beyond numbers.
With several events still to unfold and medal races tightening, the coming days promise deeper competition and new stories. For now, the spotlight remains on athletes who are not just competing but redefining what opportunity and exposure can achieve when talent is given the right platform.
