Nagaland achieved a historic feat by emerging as the Overall Team Champion at the 14th Senior National Pencak Silat Championship 2026 held from July 6 to 8 at the SAI Training Centre Indoor Stadium, NEHU Campus, Shillong, Meghalaya.
The Nagaland contingent topped the national medal tally with an impressive haul of 7 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals, outperforming teams from across the country to claim the championship title.
The gold medal winners in the Tanding category were Kevin, Jon, Kitenlo K Thono, Liike Kibmi, Avikali V Sheqi and Kuhoshi Sumi, while Viloka Chophy won the silver medal.
In the Artistic Regu (Female) event, the trio of Avikali V Sheqi, Liike Kibarni and Hatneinem Khongsai secured the gold medal for Nagaland with their performance. In the Artistic Regu (Male) category, Kevin, Jon and Sumit Kalita won the silver medal, while Kevin added another achievement by securing bronze in the Creative Male Solo event.
The championship witnessed participation from nearly 1,200 athletes representing all states and Union Territories, along with teams from the Indian Police, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Assam Rifles, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Indian Navy.
In the overall standings, Nagaland was declared the Overall Team Champion, followed by Meghalaya as the first runner-up and the Indian Police as the second runner-up.
The Nagaland team was led by Association Vice President Vikishe Chophy, Secretary Ghunato Kiba, and Head Coach and General Secretary Deep Kumar. Association President Khevishe Seam and members congratulated the medal winners for bringing honour to the state through their performance.
The achievement further highlights Nagaland’s growing presence in Pencak Silat and the continued development of the sport in the state.