Khelo India medalists welcomed at Dimapur Airport

Athletes, along with officials and well-wishers, pose for a group photograph at Dimapur Airport on Sunday after being warmly welcomed following their success at the Khelo India Beach Games 2025. (EM Images)

• DIMAPUR — The medal winners in the pencak silat and sepak takraw disciplines at the recently concluded Khelo India Beach Games 2025 in Diu were warmly welcomed by various organisations and well-wishers at Dimapur Airport on Sunday.
• 
  
• A total of 33 athletes from Nagaland competed in two major disciplines and won 13 medals, including five gold, three silver, and five bronze, and secured third place in the Khelo India Beach Games 2025, out of 30 states and seven union territories.
• 
  
• Out of the five gold medals, four were in pencak silat and one was in sepak takraw, while the three silver medals included two in pencak silat and one in sepak takraw. Nagaland also won five bronze medals, of which four were in pencak silat and one was in sepak takraw.

Also read: KIBG 2025: Historic gold for Nagaland women

• 
  
• Kethosituo Sekhose, Director of the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, speaking on the occasion, mentioned that in both pencak silat and sepak takraw events, the women’s team were the champions, while the men’s team secured third place in the pencak silat event.
• 
  
• He thanked the Chief Minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, for supporting sports and the sporting fraternity in the state and also acknowledged the Advisor for Youth Resources and Sports, Keoshu Yimkhiung.
• 
  
• The Nagaland pencak silat team secured a total of 10 medals, including four gold, two silver, and four bronze, emerging as team champions in the female category and third place in the male category.
• 
  
• In the pencak silat (tanding – sparring event), Jon, Kevi, Liike Kibami, and Nyia K Thono clinched the gold medal, while Hatneinem Khongsai and Avikali V Sheqi won silver and bronze medals, respectively.
• 
  
• In the artistic regu group event, female category, Hinokali, Dausanliu Rentta, and Avikali V Sheqi clinched the silver medal, and in the tunggal solo event, Edwina Lhinghoithem Hanghal secured the bronze medal.
• 
  
• In the artistic regu group event, male category, Jon, Kevin, and Altab Uddin Choudhury secured the bronze medal, while in the creative solo event, Kevin clinched the bronze medal.
• 
  
• The pencak silat team was guided by president and team manager Khevishe Sema, head coach Deep Kumar, and female coach Alice D Chishi.
• 
  
• While interacting with media persons, head coach Kumar said that Nagaland pencak silat athletes have defeated even international medallists, which is a very big achievement for them.
• 
  
• Kumar also informed that four athletes, namely Hinokali (female), Nyia K Thono (female), Kitenlo K. Thono (male), and Aboi (male) from Nagaland, have been selected to represent India in the 9th Asian Pencak Silat Championship, which will be held in Vietnam from July 23 to the 31st.
• 
  
• He said there were no major challenges during the event as everything was organised and sponsored by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
• 
  
• Kumar said that pencak silat is the fastest growing martial art in the world, and the best aspect is that there are no punches or kicks to the head, making it very safe. There are also many job opportunities in this field, and even the medal winners received cash awards and scholarships.