Shillong, Oct 22: Shillong is all set to host the 5th KIO North East Zone Karate Championship, a premier regional event for which more than 900 karatekas and officials have descended on the state for.
It is a huge moment of pride, which comes with a great deal of responsibility for the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA), which has been awarded this event by the Karate India Organisation (KIO). The championship will be held at the NEHU Convocation Hall over two days, on Friday and Saturday and AMKA has been able to host the event thanks to the support of the Meghalaya government’s Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Meghalaya will be represented by a contingent of 292 karatekas. Karatekas from six other North East are also in Shillong for the zonal tournament.
AMKA karatekas won an impressive 62 medals at last year’s championship, which was held in Itanagar.
Meghalaya’s contingent comprises a number of medal-winning karatekas, such as Daniel Dabiangbha Warjri, who won a gold medal in the Boys’ Junior Individual Kumite (-68kg) category and Gideon Tympuin, who took bronze in the Men’s U-21 Individual Kata event, both at the South Asian Karate Championship 2026.
Another star karateka is Kynjailin Lyngdoh Mawnai, who won a bronze medal for India at the 9th South Asian Karate Championship in Colombo in 2025. Fadrik Wanniang, Aventinus George Mylliem, Samebanmerbha Blah, Ialamphang Kharkongor, Princey A Blah Pohti, Adella Nongrum, Esaranaki Kharjana, Sandameka V Langstieh, Daiarisa Nongrum, Rebeka Nongspung and Barisha Kharbani, who all won gold in Itanagar last year, are also in the state squad.
The Meghalaya coaching team comprises Mingson Rymbai and Arjun Sewa, who will serve as head coaches, while Wandashisha Warjri and Ronald L Nonglait will serve as assistant coaches. The team manager responsibilities will be handled by Laiarisa Nongrum, Beautiful Mary Mylliem, Rose Mary Tympuin, Junita Rani and Aihunlang Makdoh, while Sharailang Nongneng Shanpru will be the team physiotherapist.
The championship is important because the winners will qualify for the KIO Inter-Zonal Karate Championship 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 16th-17th December.
Today, a KIO Referee and Coaches Seminar and Examination was held. Meghalaya had 21 participants in this programme, which was conducted by Premjit Sen, Chairman of the KIO’s Referee Commission.
The formal opening ceremony will be held tomorrow, with the championship to be inaugurated by Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla at 3PM. The guest of honour will be Sports & Youth Affairs Director, Alertson Nongbri. KIO President Bharat Sharma will also be present during the championship, adding significance to this important sporting event.
(Representative photo)