The following is based on press releases from the organisers
Shillong, Jan 19: Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams from East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills have reached their respective finals at the 5th Meghalaya Games, which reached its penultimate day today in Tura.
EKH beat North Garo Hills 58-16 in the semifinals today, while WKH defeated South West Khasi Hills 60-45.
In the men’s semifinals, EKH triumphed over NGH by 89 points to 23, while WKH beat Ri-Bhoi in a closely fought match 61-57.
Both finals will be held on the final day of the Games on Saturday.
TABLE TENNIS
In table tennis, EKH and West Garo Hills shared the top spots by taking home three and two gold medals each.
In the first final today, for the men’s singles title, Jeff AK Marak of WGH took the top honours beating Sandeep Kumar of EKH 4-1 while Banehkupar Sancley (EKH) and Izhar G Momin (EGH) had to be content with the bronze.
Diva Tang of EKH defeated Di Toomi V Ch Momin of WGH 4-1 to take home gold while Wanpyntngenlang Lyngdoh and Badaaihun Diengdoh took third spot in the women’s singles.
Sandeep Kumar had his revenge over Jeff Marak in the men’s doubles with the colour of the medals being reversed. Sandeep paired with Steppingstone Lyngdoh while Jeff’s partner was Izhar Momin. The final was a close affair with the EKH team winning 3-2.
Paban Kanta Kanwar with Pynlang Singh Sohtun and Labeeb F Ahmed and Banehkupar Sancley had to be content with bronze medals.
In the women’s doubles, Diva Tang paired with Wanpyntngenlang Lyngdoh to snatch gold against their rivals from the same district, Badaaihun Diengdoh and Ilapynkmen Lyngdoh 3-1.
The bronze medals went to the pairs of Anshruta Nag and Azaniah D Marak and Di Toomi V Ch Momin and Chuanna M Marak.
The last event of the afternoon was the mixed doubles final and this time Jeff Marak paired with Di Toomi V Ch Momin and took away the gold medal. Sandeep was at the receiving end this time with his partner, Diva Tang, and had to settle for silver. The WGH duo romped to a 3-1 win.
The bronze medals were won by the pairs of Steppingstone Lyngdoh and Wanpyntngenlang Lyngdoh along with Izhar G Momin and Chuanna M Marak.
WEIGHTLIFTING
Ri-Bhoi emerged as the dominant force in weightlifting, securing an impressive haul of six gold medals. Additionally, East Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills and South West Khasi Hills demonstrated their prowess with one gold each.
Ri-Bhoi emerged as the undisputed champions. In the men’s 73kg category, Anasthasius Ryndongsngi secured the highest points. With 107 points in the snatch and 112 in the clean and jerk, he finished with a grand total of 219.
Adding to the district’s tally, Wanbhabianglang Thabah, Laikmenlang Kharkongor and David Lyngdoh secured highest points in the 61kg, 55kg and 40kg categories, respectively.
Despite Ri-Bhoi’s dominance, EKH demonstrated their power with a commendable performance, securing one gold medal in the 81kg through B Edegar Benneth Jana.
Meanwhile from West Garo Hills, in the 67kg, Raksil N Sangma secured the highest points to clinch gold.
BADMINTON
The badminton events ended today with all four gold medals up for grabs being swept by East Khasi Hills.
In the first final of the day, Netania Tariang won the girls’ title by beating WKH’s Shimtihun Lyngdoh. The bronze medals were taken by Nihaka Lamare and Sengei Wasa D Shira.
This was followed by the girls’ doubles where the team of Netania and Carylnda Nongbri beat the pair from WKH, Shimtihun Lyngdoh and Doreenzia Kharbani. The bronze medals was won by West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills.
It was an all-EKH final in the boys’ singles where Raynel Kharbuki beat Stephen Marwein, while bronze was shared by Mewan Lamkupar and Raymond Ronghang.
Raynel then paired up with Pratham Majumdar to take his second gold medal, beating the WJH pair of Banshabor Lamare and Lechan Suchiang. Bronze was shared by the pairs of Ri-Bhoi’s Babrean Momin and Raymond Ronghang and WGH’s Gaurav Dutta and Biswajit Ghosh.
(Photo contributed)
