Shillong, Oct 23: The 5th KIO North East Zone Karate Championship 2026 began at the NEHU Convocation Hall here today, bringing together more than 900 karatekas and officials for the two-day regional sporting event hosted by the All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association (AMKA) with the support of Meghalaya’s Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs.
The championship, organised under the aegis of the Karate India Organisation (KIO), marks a significant moment for Meghalaya, which is hosting a mega karate event like this after a gap of nearly 30 years.
The tournament will conclude on Saturday, with participants from seven North East states taking part. Meghalaya has fielded a strong contingent of 292 male and female karatekas, competing for honours alongside athletes from other participating states.
The host state won several medals in the morning in the kata (demonstration) events. Kumite (sparring) events followed thereafter.
The chief guest at the opening ceremony was Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, who expressed his pleasant surprise when bestowed with an honorary black belt by KIO President Bharat Sharma.
Addressing the gathering, Shylla credited Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma’s support for the growing investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development in the state. He also praised AMKA for its members’ hard work and dedication, not just in this tournament but year-round.
“In the time that I have been Sports Minister, I have seen that AMKA is one of the most hard working associations in Meghalaya,” he said. “I hope to see more such events being organised in future to give our karatekas the platform to excel and demonstrate their talents.”
The minister also thanked Sharma for the honorary black belt. “I never expected such a gesture. I understand the honour that you have given me and I will try to see that I give full support to our karate association and create opportunities for our karatekas.”
Before he spoke, AMKA President Hunlang Lytan welcomed the dignitaries and all the karatekas to the event. He expressed his gratitude to the state government for supporting karate and other sports in Meghalaya with better infrastructure, athlete scholarships and financial rewards for medal-winning sportspersons.
Sharma then added his thanks to AMKA, saying that he was “extremely happy” with all the arrangements made for this prestigious championship.
As part of the opening ceremony, karatekas from the North East who represented India at recent international events were felicitated by Shylla and Sharma. These included Meghalaya’s Gideon Tympuin and Daniel Dabiangbha Warjri, who won medals at the South Asian Karate Championship 2026.
This regional championship carries added significance as the winners will qualify for the KIO Inter-Zonal Karate Championship 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi later this year.
Among other dignitaries present on the occasion were Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) Working President John F Kharshiing, MSOA General Secretary Finely L Pariat, KIO Treasurer Mutum Bankim Singh and KIO Chairman of the Referees Commission Premjit Sen.
(All Meghalaya Karate-Do Association photos. Featured photo is of Individual Women’s Kata medallists. Meghalaya claimed three medals here, with Ester Mary Lyngdoh (second left on the podium) winning gold, Lamerphylla Kharsati (left) silver and Elisheba Khongwar (third left) a joint bronze medal. Diu Miching of Arunachal Pradesh took the other bronze)
