SHILLONG, Oct 24: Meghalaya’s eight-member contingent made a strong start at the Asia Oceania Kettlebell Sport Championship 2026 in Goa, winning three gold, two silver and two bronze medals on the opening day of the competition.
The championship, which began on October 23, will conclude on Sunday, with athletes from across the region competing in various kettlebell sport disciplines. Meghalaya’s performances on Friday highlighted the team’s strength in both junior and senior categories, with coach Sandeep Sharma also contributing to the medal tally.
Iaphilaihun Lyngdoh Talang led the charge among the state’s junior athletes, clinching gold in the 12-minute, 12kg Military Snatch event after completing 155 repetitions.
Raikom Timung added another gold in the junior category, winning the 12-minute, 16kg Military Snatch event.
Boonyapon Butsrisouy also reached the podium, securing bronze in the junior category of the 12-minute, 12kg Clean & Jerk event.
Coach Sharma delivered one of the standout performances of the day, claiming gold in the 80kg bodyweight category of the 10-minute Classic 24kg Snatch event. He completed 131 repetitions to secure the top position. Sonia Langstieh added a silver medal in the 10-minute Classic 16kg Snatch event, finishing with 77 repetitions. Kathie Decruse, also identified as Kathy Moi Decruse in the competition details, won bronze in the 58kg bodyweight category after completing 69 repetitions in the 10-minute, 16kg Clean & Jerk event.
Brian Wallang rounded off Meghalaya’s opening-day medal haul with silver in the veterans category, taking the state’s total to seven medals.
The contingent comprises Iaphilaihun Lyngdoh, Boonyapon Butsrisouy, Raikom Timung, Kathie Decruse, Enifer Rowena Nongkynrih, Sonia Langstieh, Brian Wallang and Sharma.
With the championship entering its final day on Saturday, Meghalaya’s athletes will have further opportunities to add to their medal tally through the half-marathon events, which involve continuous lifting over 30 minutes.
Enifer Rowena Nongkynrih is scheduled to compete in the 30-minute, 16kg Jerk event, while Langstieh will participate in the 30-minute, 16kg Snatch competition. Sharma will represent the state in the 30-minute, 24kg Snatch event.
The endurance-based events will test the athletes’ stamina, strength and ability to maintain a consistent lifting pace over an extended period.
Meghalaya will look to build on its encouraging opening-day performance as the contingent seeks to finish the championship on a strong note.
The seven-medal haul has provided Meghalaya with a solid platform heading into the final day of the championship, while also highlighting the growing competitiveness of the state’s athletes in kettlebell sport. With gold medals across the junior and senior categories, alongside podium finishes in the women’s and veterans’ events, the contingent has demonstrated its ability to compete across different disciplines and weight categories.