Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Karnataka Dominates Inaugural KITG with 23 Gold Medals

Karnataka secured the overall championship at the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG 2026), amassing 23 gold medals, 8 silver, and 7 bronze to stay ahead of challengers Odisha and Jharkhand on the final day.

Despite strong showings from Odisha's Arjun Khara in recurve men's archery and Jharkhand's Komalika Bari in women's recurve, Karnataka's early dominance in swimming and athletics proved insurmountable.

The event drew nearly 3,800 athletes from 30 states and Union Territories, competing across nine disciplines—including archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Mallakhamb and Kabaddi featured as demonstration sports. A total of 106 golds were contested, with 25 states/UTs earning medals and 20 claiming at least one gold, showcasing India's vast tribal sporting talent.

Medal Tally Highlights

• Karnataka (1st): 23 gold, 8 silver, 7 bronze. Led by swimmer Manikanta L (8 gold, 1 silver) and Dhoneesh N (5 gold, 1 silver). They swept 15 swimming golds, added 5 in athletics, and 3 in wrestling.
• Odisha (2nd): 21 gold, 15 silver, 21 bronze (total 57, the only team over 50). Unique in winning at least one gold in all six core disciplines, including 8 in athletics and 7 in swimming. Anjali Munda shone with 5 swimming golds.
• Jharkhand (3rd): 16 gold, 8 silver, 11 bronze. Excelled in athletics (9 golds), wrestling (4), and archery (3).
• Others: Maharashtra (4th: 6G-10S-4B), Arunachal Pradesh (5th: 6G-1S-4B). Hosts Chhattisgarh finished 9th (3G-10S-6B), with a silver in men's football.

Karnataka topped the tally from Day 1, powered by swimming supremacy. Odisha trailed by three golds entering the final day but could secure at most two in archery, sealing Karnataka's victory. Nagaland grabbed women's recurve team gold, landing 14th overall (2G-2S-3B).

Final Day Archery and Football Action

In archery's four closing golds, Odisha's Arjun Khara defeated teammate Somanatha Hembram for recurve men's individual gold, but their team fell 4-6 to Jharkhand. Jharkhand's Komalika Bari, a former world junior champion, beat Gujarat's Bhargavi Bhagora for women's recurve individual gold - adding to her mixed team success.

Men's football crowned West Bengal champions (1-0 over Chhattisgarh silver medalists), with Arunachal Pradesh and Goa taking bronze.

Detailed Results

Archery

Football