Tura, Jan 18: Two athletes from the district of North Garo Hills did the entire region proud by bagging two gold medals out of nine that were up for grabs in the athletics arena this afternoon in an event that has been dominated by sportsmen from the Khasi- Jaintia Hills. South Garo Hills, which has placed last in the medal tally, finally opened their account with a silver in athletics.
Praichi G Momin, in the women’s javelin, threw a distance of 29.87 meters to claim gold in the event. She was followed closely by Melibad Kro 27.89 meters to claim silver. Senitha G Momin, also of the district of NGH took home bronze with a throw of 25.07 meters.
In the men’s event, NGH once again came to the party with Tushal M Sangma clinching gold with a throw of 48.55 meters. SGH’s Biljakra A Sangma clinched the silver with a throw of 46.13 meters while WGH’s Pantera A Sangma took home the bronze with a 45 meter throw.
In the first event of the day, the men’s 10,000 meter run, East Jaintia Hills (EJH) Knerlang Phawa stood first with a timing of 32:35.8 while Ribhoi’s Monas Bongrung came a close second with 33:10:9. West Jaintia Hills’ Teiboklang Biam stood third with 33:21:8.
SWKH clean swept the Women’s 3000 meters race with Marqueenless Ramseij clinching gold (11:09:2) just beating her compatriot, Lyntijingkyrmen K Jahrin by just 2 hundredths of a second. They were followed by Ibanraikor Lyngkhoi with 11:43:9.
WJH won the two shortest distances for the day, the 200 meters Kyrshanlang Shylla who clocked an impressive 23.3 seconds. EJH’s Repol Dkhar was just 2 hundredths of a second behind while Danbok Shabong of EKK heartbreakingly just 1 hundredths of a second behind silver. This was the closest race of the entire meet with just 3 hundredths of a second separating the gold from the bronze.
In the women’s race, WJH won gold and bronze with EKH separating the two. The race was won by Damika R Lyngdoh (27.5) who beat 100 meter race winner Angelina Jackson (28) and Himonki Khaii who clocked 29 secs.
Skhemlang Suba of Ribhoi won gold in the 800 meter race with a time of 1:54:7. EJH’s Elevent Dkhar (1:59:2) and Knerland Phawa (2:02:06) took silver and bronze respectively.
In the women’s event Glorify Kurbah of EKH won with a timing of 2:21:5. She beat Ribhoi’s Retina Hanse (2:28:5) and EKH’s Bethelyne G Makri 2:30:6.
In the last event of the day, the EKH team won the 4 by 400 metre relay with a timing of 3:52:6. WJH stood second while Ribhoi came third.
Till the 4th day of the Meghalaya Games, WJH has dominated proceedings winning a total of 8 gold medals, 4 silvers and 5 bronze. Ribhoi followed closely with 6 golds, 6 silvers and 3 bronze medals. EKH stands third with 5 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals. SWKH is at the 4th position with 2 golds, 3 silver and 3 bronze medals. NGH comes next with 2 gold medals that they won. Surprisingly WGH stood last in the athletic events winning just a solitary bronze.