37th National Games: Thono clinches first gold for Nagaland

DIMAPUR — Kitenlo K Thono made history for Nagaland by securing the first gold medal for the state at the ongoing 37th National Games in Goa, on Sunday.

Thono clinched the gold medal in the 90-95 kg Tanding fight category of Pencak Silat.

To add to Nagaland’s medal tally, Liike Kibami, who was part of the state’s women Pencak Silat team that won a bronze in the regu event on Oct. 28, also won a silver in the 55-60 kg Tanding category.

With the wins, Nagaland's medal tally now stands at three with a gold, silver and bronze each, all won in the Pencak Silat competition.

Elated with the news, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated both the individual medal winners.

“Gold Medal for Nagaland. Congratulations to Mr. Kitenlo K. Thono for wining gold medal in 90-95 kg Tanding Fight Category in Pencak Silat at the National Games in Goa. This is a historic achievement and he has made entire Nagaland proud and joyous,” Rio wrote on X.

“Second medal for Nagaland. Congratulations to Nagaland’s Ms. Liike Kibami for wining her second medal at National games in Goa. She wins Silver Medal in Tanding category in Pencak Silat,” the chief minister said in an earlier post on X.

On October 27, Nagaland ended the medal drought by opening its account at the ongoing 37th National Games in Goa after the state’s Pencak Silat team won a bronze medal in the women’s regu event.

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The women's team comprised of Liike Kibami, Hinokali and Avikali V Sheqi.

When contacted, the coach of Nagaland Pencak Silat team, Deep Kumar, informed Eastern Mirror that qualifying for the 37th National Games in Pencak Silat was not an easy task as they had to compete with 34 states during the qualifying round in Maharashtra.

Kumar said that their target was to secure at least four medals. However, he expressed satisfaction with the overall performance of the team as they are returning home with three medals.

The coach also expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Secretary General of the Nagaland Olympic Association, Abu Metha, and the Youth Resources and Sports department, for their unwavering support, both financially and morally.