By Our Reporter
Shillong, March 2: East Khasi Hills clinched top honours at the 1st Meghalaya Thang-Ta State Level Championship 2026, emerging overall champions and lifting the inaugural Meghalaya Thang-Ta Champion Trophy at the Smit Indoor Hall.
Ri-Bhoi secured the runners-up position, while West Khasi Hills finished third in the two-day championship held from February 27 to 28. The event marked a significant milestone for the promotion of Thang-Ta in the state and reflected the growing enthusiasm for indigenous martial arts among the youth of Meghalaya.
Organised by the Meghalaya Thang-Ta Association (MTTA), the championship brought together around 70 participants from East Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi and West Khasi Hills. The association is affiliated with the Thang Ta Federation of India and the World Thang Ta Federation, ensuring that the competition adhered to recognised standards and rules.
Thang-Ta, a traditional martial art that originated in Manipur, combines armed combat techniques using sword and spear with unarmed combat forms known as Sarit-Sarak. Rooted in the cultural heritage of Northeast India, the discipline has steadily gained prominence at national platforms, including Khelo India, as well as events conducted by the School Games Federation of India and various universities.
The successful conduct of the inaugural state-level championship not only highlighted the rising interest in martial arts across Meghalaya but also underscored the state’s commitment to nurturing traditional sports. With structured competitions now taking shape, young practitioners have a clearer pathway to progress from district to national arenas, carrying forward both sporting ambition and cultural legacy.
