SHILLONG:
Meghalaya won their first gold medal at the 2nd North East Olympic Games with Willbornson Wahlang winning the MTB Downhill Hardtail men’s race at Malki Forest on November 12.
Meghalaya swept this particular category, with its cyclists taking silver and bronze as well through Amedius Therlang Marbaniang and Nicholas Syrti respectively. Just two seconds separated the top three, with Wahlang finishing the course in a time of 2 minutes, 23 seconds, ahead of Marbaniang (2:24) and Syrti (2:25).
Manipur claimed a further gold medal through Thokchom Tennyson Singh (2:08) in the MTB Downhill Full Suspension men’s race, ahead of Meghalaya’s Dame Wanki Ha-o Suiam (2:15). Another Manipur cyclist, Kshetrimayum Jack Singh (2:19), was third.
In the women’s open cross country race, Lindum Iakia of Arunachal Pradesh was first in 9 minutes, 42.00 seconds, with the Manipur pair of Pangambam Priya Devi (9:43.44) and Haomon Urbashi Devi (9:48.10) second and third respectively.
In the junior competition on November 11, AZ Thotmachan from Manipur bagged the gold medal, with Pynshailang Khyllait from Meghalaya second and Vanlalruata of Mizoram third. In the elite men’s cross country, gold was won by Manipur’s Khundrakpam Ronel Singh, with Kevin John Khyllait crossing the line in second place and Mesak Vanlalvena from Mizoram third.
The prize distribution ceremony for all the above events was held on Saturday, with Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, MLA, as the chief guest. Other dignitaries included Additional CEO of NEOG 2022 and Secretary to the government of Meghalaya, Cyril VD Diengdoh IAS.
The cyclists will now have a break of two days before Tuesday’s 80km road race, which will take the riders from Shillong to Mawthadraishan.