By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 10: In a moment of pride for Meghalaya, 12-year-old Rikangku D Sangma from Karukol Jalaigre village etched his name in the history books by securing a bronze medal at the 39th National Junior Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Tuesday.
Representing Karukol Higher Secondary School, located 5 km from Baghmara, Rikangku’s remarkable performance in the Under-14 Kids Javelin event saw him achieve an impressive throw of 51.91 metres.
This historic feat makes Rikangku the first Meghalayan athlete in 25 years to win a medal at the national level in athletics. The last such achievement was in 1999 when Beningstar Lyngkhoi secured a bronze medal in the Under-16 Boys 2000m event.
Rikangku’s success is a testament to his hard work and the guidance of his coach, Pleasantly Synnah, an experienced athletics coach from the Sports Department and Joint Secretary of the Meghalaya Athletics Association. Over the past three months, Synnah meticulously trained Rikangku, helping him refine his skills and prepare for the national stage.
Apart from his javelin success, Rikangku also competed in the Triathlon B event, which includes the 60m sprint, long jump, and shot back throw. Despite participating in these disciplines for the first time, he secured 14th place in a field of seasoned competitors. Earlier this year, at the East Zone Junior Athletics Championship, Rikangku had clinched a silver medal in Kids Javelin and finished fourth in the Triathlon, showcasing his versatility as an athlete.
The Meghalaya Athletics Association expressed immense pride in Rikangku’s achievements. General Secretary Shri Finely Pariat commended the young athlete and his coach, emphasizing the need for greater support for budding talent in the state. “I thank the Department of Sports for their unwavering support and humbly request the government to provide additional resources to extend coaching periods for potential athletes,” Pariat said. He also lauded Coach Pleasantly Synnah for his dedication, noting that under his leadership, the association has consistently secured medals in regional and national competitions.
Pariat also extended gratitude to Coach Daisy Marweiñ and other district-level coaches for their tireless efforts in nurturing Meghalaya’s athletes throughout the year. As the calendar year for Meghalaya Athletics Association draws to a close, Rikangku’s achievement serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for young athletes in the state.
The association hopes that this landmark victory will pave the way for further success in the national and international arenas, continuing Meghalaya’s proud legacy in athletics.