Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Karnataka Dominates Swimming; Odisha Clinches Women’s Title

Raipur, March 2026 : The swimming competitions at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, held in Raipur, concluded with impressive performances from athletes across the country. Karnataka emerged as the dominant force in the men’s category, while Odisha shone in the women’s events by securing the overall championship.

In the men’s category, Karnataka clinched the overall team championship title with 123 points. Assam finished as the first runner-up with 69 points, while Odisha secured the second runner-up position with 31 points. In the women’s category, Odisha delivered a stellar performance to become champions with 102 points, followed by Karnataka as the first runner-up with 50 points and host state Chhattisgarh as the second runner-up with 38 points.

Chhattisgarh’s swimmer Anushka Bhagat delivered an outstanding performance, winning her fourth consecutive silver medal and bringing pride to the state. She achieved this feat in the women’s 50m breaststroke event, further strengthening Chhattisgarh’s medal tally and boosting the morale of local athletes.

Several other events witnessed strong competition and remarkable performances. In the men’s 100m freestyle, Karnataka’s Dhonish won the gold medal, while Assam’s Firmino Amon Lalung secured silver and Karnataka’s Keerthan Sharath claimed bronze. In the women’s 100m freestyle, Odisha’s Ritika Minj took gold, followed by her state teammate Krishna Priya Nayak with silver and Assam’s Violina Kro with bronze.

In the men’s 50m backstroke, Assam’s Nibir Nilim Kro won gold, Karnataka’s Dhonish took silver, and Odisha’s Rajesh Soren secured bronze. In the women’s 50m backstroke, Odisha’s Anjali Munda clinched gold, Chhattisgarh’s Anushka Bhagat won silver, and Karnataka’s Meghanjali took bronze.

Relay events also saw exciting finishes. In the men’s 4×100m medley relay, Karnataka secured gold, Assam took silver, and Tripura won bronze. In the women’s 4×100m medley relay, Odisha clinched gold, Tripura secured silver, and Gujarat finished with bronze.

So far in the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, Chhattisgarh has won a total of eight medals—one gold, four silver, and three bronze—and currently stands sixth in the overall medal tally.

The competition clearly highlighted the dominance of Karnataka and Odisha in swimming, while Chhattisgarh’s athletes also delivered commendable performances, indicating a promising future for the state in aquatic sports.