Kohima leads the medal tally on opening day of Nagaland State & Para Games 2026 across Dimapur and Chümoukedima.
DIMAPUR — Kohima took the lead in the medal standings on the opening day of the Nagaland State and Para Games (NSPG) 2026-cum-17th Inter-District Athletics Meet, securing four gold, four silver, and two bronze medals on Tuesday across track and field and martial arts events held in Dimapur and Chümoukedima.
The multi-sport event, organised under the aegis of the Nagaland Olympic Association (NOA) from November 2 to the 14th on the theme "Stronger Together" and tagline "17 Districts. One State. The Spirit of Sport. The Pride of Nagaland" brings together sporting contingents representing all 17 districts of the state.
Alongside athletics, competitions commenced across archery, badminton, basketball, table tennis, and Pencak Silat.
Kohima tops medal tally, Dimapur leads overall count
According to the official medal board, a total of 52 medals were recorded at the close of day one, comprising 16 gold, 16 silver, and 20 bronze. Phek occupied second place with three gold, one silver, and one bronze medal, while Dimapur stood third with two gold, six silver, and four bronze medals, securing the highest overall medal count with 12.
Mon stood fourth with two gold and one silver medal. Noklak and Tuensang shared fifth position with one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal each, followed by Peren and Tseminyü with one gold and two bronze medals each. Chümoukedima stood ninth with one gold and one bronze medal, while Zünheboto and Wokha secured one silver medal each. Kiphire, Longleng, Meluri, Mokokchung, and Niuland followed with one bronze medal each.
Athletics meet gets underway in Dimapur
The athletics events, which also serve as the 17th Inter-District Athletics Meet, commenced at the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur. The four-day meet, running from November 3 to the 6th, features men's and women's competitions across the 10,000m, 800m, 1,500m, 500m, 400m, 200m, 100m, 4x100m relay, 4x400m relay, high jump, discus throw, javelin throw, triple jump, and shot put.
In the men's shot put (7.26 kg), Vemele Thingo of Phek clinched gold, Kezhaseluo-o Pienyü of Kohima won silver, and Keneisede Mere of Kohima secured bronze. In the women's shot put, Petekhrienuo Solo of Kohima won gold with a throw of 9.40m, Keneitonuo Vielie of Peren secured silver with 8.42m, and Thiuraliu of Peren took bronze with 7.96m.
In the men's high jump, Ruvezo Ruvezo of Phek clinched gold with a height of 1.76m, Nchumbemo Z Ezung of Wokha took silver with 1.72m, and Kimiyeto Sumi of Dimapur won bronze with 1.65m. In the women's high jump, Ruokuosanuo Sachü of Kohima won gold, Besulu Chuzho of Phek secured silver, and Lunghao of Longleng claimed bronze.
In long-distance track events, Nahtei N Wangnao of Mon won gold in the men's 10,000m, Shiangjiu T Khiamniungan of Noklak secured silver, and Lenpenthe of Meluri took bronze. In the women's 10,000m, Sentinaro of Tuensang won gold, Suhluvolu Shijoh of Dimapur claimed silver, and Vekholhulu of Phek took bronze.
In the men's 1,500m, Tsole Yhokha of Mon clinched gold, Phonyei Konyak of Mon won silver, and Lhouvisalie Mere of Kohima claimed bronze. In the women's 1,500m, Cekrotalu Khesoh of Phek won gold, M Somet Chemden of Tuensang took silver, and Jemie Y of Noklak secured bronze.
In sprint events, Kevichiituo Lhoungu of Kohima clinched gold in the men's 100m, Mayangsashi of Dimapur won silver, and Mekhrietsu Miachieo of Tseminyü took bronze. In the women's 100m, Neshe Maonyu Konyak of Peren won gold, Rüduolhounuo Belho of Kohima secured silver, and B Sanglelemla of Tuensang won bronze.
In the men's 400m, Meguozotuo Solo of Kohima won gold, while Alemwati Longchar and Temsumoa Jamir, both from Dimapur, claimed silver and bronze, respectively. In the women's 400m, Jemie P of Noklak won gold, Menenuo Belho of Kohima took silver, and Kairuangwi Nring of Peren secured bronze.
Pencak Silat competition begins in Dimapur
The Pencak Silat competition was held at Immanuel Hall in Dimapur.
The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Khekugha Muru, Chairman of the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), as special guest.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Muru commended the organisers and participants, noting that Pencak Silat, which originated in Southeast Asia, has gained international recognition and is now featured in major events such as the Asian Games.
He observed that India is making progress in the sport, challenging nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia, with Nagaland playing an important role.
Expressing confidence that the sport holds potential for Olympic medals looking ahead to 2036, he urged the state government and sports bodies to extend material, logistical, and institutional support.
In the women's 50-55 kg Pencak Silat category, Helie Kath of Tseminyü secured gold, Marikdi Jigdung of Kiphire claimed silver, and Echang W Magdalene of Dimapur and Jessica Assumi of Niuland took bronze.
In the women's Tanding Class D (60-65 kg), Mughatoli Awomi of Tseminyü won gold, Imtichila Pongen of Dimapur took silver, and Pulotoli Shohe of Tseminyü and G Kumghakali Sumi of Chümoukedima shared bronze.
In the men's Tanding Class E (65-70 kg), Mughape Aye of Chümoukedima won gold, Kupuvi Sumi of Zünheboto claimed silver, and Wangen Ziri of Dimapur and Limayanger Ao of Kiphire won bronze.
In the men's Tanding Class F (70-75 kg), Kambo Kiba of Dimapur clinched gold, Sumit Kalita of Dimapur won silver, and Lipoktemsu Pongen of Mokokchung and Samaiham Langthasa of Niuland won bronze.
In the men's Tanding Class G (75-80 kg), Aremnochet Ningdangri of Dimapur won gold, Rajawal Islam of Dimapur claimed silver, and Asetuo Sopfu of Dimapur and Puloketo Yeptho of Zünheboto secured bronze.
A medal presentation ceremony for winners in Pencak Silat and shot put was attended by Commissioner and Secretary Kovi Meyase and former Director General of Police and State Election Commissioner John Longkumer, who presented the medals.
More athletics action lined up
On day two of the athletics meet, athletes will compete in the 200m, 800m, long jump, javelin throw, 4x100m relay, and 4x400m relay. Day three will feature the 5,000m, triple jump, discus throw, and 4x400m relay, concluding on day four with the men's and women's cross-country finals.