2nd Northeast Olympic Games 2022: Meghalaya win first gold in MTB Downhill Hardtail race

Dimapur, Nov. 12 (EMN): Meghalaya won their first gold medal at the 2nd North East Olympic Games with Willbornson Wahlang winning the MTB Downhill Hardtail men’s race at Malki Forest in Shillong on Saturday.

Meghalaya swept this category, with its cyclists taking silver and bronze as well through Amedius Therlang Marbaniang and Nicholas Syrti respectively. Just two seconds separated the top three, with Wahlang finishing the course in 2:23, ahead of Marbaniang (2:24) and Syrti (2:25).

Manipur claimed a gold medal through Thokchom Tennyson Singh (2:08) in the MTB Downhill Full Suspension men’s race, ahead of Meghalaya’s Dame Wanki Ha-o Suiam (2:15). Another Manipur cyclist, Kshetrimayum Jack Singh (2:19), was third.

In the women’s open cross country race, Lindum Iakia of Arunachal Pradesh was first in 9 minutes, 42.00 seconds, with the Manipur pair of Pangambam Priya Devi (9:43.44) and Haomon Urbashi Devi (9:48.10) second and third respectively.

In the junior competition on November 11, AZ Thotmachan from Manipur won the gold medal, with Pynshailang Khyllait from Meghalaya winning second and Vanlalruata of Mizoram third. In the elite men’s cross country, gold was won by Manipur’s Khundrakpam Ronel Singh, with home hero Kevin John Khyllait crossing the line in second place and Mesak Vanlalvena from Mizoram third.

The prize distribution ceremony for all the events was held on Saturday, with Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh MLA as the chief guest. Other dignitaries included Additional CEO of NEOG 2022 and secretary to the government of Meghalaya, Cyril VD Diengdoh.

The cyclists will now have a break of two days before Tuesday’s 80 km road race, which will take the riders from Shillong to Mawthadraishan.