Karnataka dominated the opening day in the pool, winning five of the six gold medals on offer while hosts Chhattisgarh also opened their account with a silver and bronze medals in the women\u2019s and men\u2019s 100m breaststroke, respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In all, 30 states and Union Territories are participating in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games that will witness close to 3800 participants compete in nine sports disciplines. A whopping 106 gold medals will be on offer across archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling, while traditional sports like Mallakhamb and Kabaddi will be demonstration sports.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
After Day 1 action on Wednesday, Karnataka lead the medal tally with seven medals, including five golds. Odisha are second with four medals, including a gold. Hosts Chhattisgarh are fourth with two medals. In the men\u2019s 200m Freestyle final, Dhoneesh clocked a time of 2:03.55s, almost seven seconds faster than statemate Keerthan Sharat (2:10.99s), who finished second. Maharashtra\u2019s Bhaktish Kumre took the bronze medal with a time of 2:14.73s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is my first Khelo India Games, and it feels truly special to win the very first gold medal of these Games. I believe I could have delivered a better timing, but I am happy,\u201d said Dhoneesh.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Odisha bagged a gold and bronze in the women\u2019s 200m freestyle category, with Anjali stopping the clock at 2:39.02s in a near photo-finish with Karnataka\u2019s Nidhi S, who clinched the silver with a timing of 2:39.09s. Sriya Padiami of Odisha (2:49.04s) finished third.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Karnataka dominated all the races thereafter, with Manikanta L and Mehanjali winning two gold medals each, winning the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Manikanta bagged the men\u2019s 100m Breaststroke gold with a time of 1:07.41s, with silver medallist Palash Thakur of Maharashtra (1:11.69s) finishing almost four seconds behind.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nikhil Xalco opened host Chhattisgarh\u2019s account on the medals table by clinching the bronze medal with a time of 1:11.77s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Manikanta then returned to the pool to bag the 50m butterfly gold with a time of 27.06s, with Assam\u2019s Firmino Emon Lalung (27.69s) and Riyaj Tripura of Tripura (28.48s) taking home the silver and bronze, respectively.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nikhil Xalco opened host Chhattisgarh\u2019s account on the medals table by clinching the bronze medal with a time of 1:11.77s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
She then bagged the 50m butterfly gold with a time of 34.67s, ahead of Tripura\u2019s Tiluttam Hamatia (34.85s) and Odisha\u2019s Ritika Minz (35.54s)<\/p>\r\n\r\n