Shillong, Mar 14: Terrible news emerged today with the death of Ritina Hanse, a 23-year-old track athlete, who died in a road traffic accident.
Ritina, who speciliased in short distance running, was riding pillion on a two-wheeler driven by her brother when the vehicle collided with a truck at Sumer in Ri-Bhoi. Her brother survived with minor injuries.
The news was broken by Ri-Bhoi District Sports Officer Bobby L Nongbet this evening.
Ritina was a proud athlete of Ri-Bhoi whose dedication and achievements will always inspire. Her fellow athletes, coaches and others involved in athletics are today mourning the loss of a remarkably talented athlete who will be remembered for her passion, strength and achievements on the track.
Some of her achievements include being the first female from the state to win a medal for Meghalaya in the East Zone Junior Athletics Championship, which she did with a gold in the U-16 800m race in 2017 in Kolkata.
She was a multiple medallist in the State Level Inter School Athletic Meet, where she also participated in the long jump, and Meghalaya Games.
Ritina won a gold and two bronze medals at the 2nd North East Games (then known as the North East Olympic Games) in Shillong in 2022, which helped Meghalaya win the title of overall champions in athletics that year. At the next edition, in Nagaland, she bagged one silver and one bronze medal in 2024.
She was training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Shillong centre and was also a shortlisted athlete preparing to represent Meghalaya at the 2027 National Games, which will be held here.
(File photo)