Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Bethlyne Grace Makri Turns Painful Transition Into Podium Finish With Race Walk Bronze

Jagdalpur, April 1: Meghalaya athlete Bethlyne Grace Makri won bronze in the women’s race walk at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. She clocked 1:05:18 on Wednesday, after switching from middle and long-distance running earlier that year.

Coaches at the SAI Sports Training Centre, Shillong, spotted her race-walk talent on December 29, 2025. Until last year, she had run middle and long distances. At the start of 2026, they asked her to change events and learn race walking.

From the Khasi tribe, Bethlyne found the shift very hard. Severe lower-body pain hit during the first weeks of training. She struggled with the new technique, sleepless nights followed, and self-doubt rose as she questioned the decision to change events.

Support from coaches and family proved decisive

The youngest and only daughter among three siblings, she leaned on home support. She said to SAI Media that the first two weeks were very tough. She described nervous moments, technical confusion and doubts about whether the move was right.

In Jagdalpur, her work paid off with a national medal. After the race, she thanked coaches and family for steady backing. She called the bronze a needed start and a confidence boost to keep training seriously in race walking.

Women’s race walk results at Khelo India Tribal Games

The women’s race walk podium featured athletes from three states. Jharkhand’s Neha Xalxo won gold, Odisha’s Alish Ekka took silver, and Bethlyne secured bronze for Meghalaya.

Bethlyne studied in the second year of BA at Shillong College. She said she was the only race walker from Meghalaya with a national medal. She hoped her Khelo India podium would inspire local youngsters to take up the event.