Madhya Pradesh's Golden Performance at National Canoe Sprint Championship-2026; Crowned Overall Champion with 39 Medals; State's Daughters Also Displayed Great Prowess
Bhopal: Athletes from the Water Sports Academy, run under the Madhya Pradesh Department of Sports and Youth Welfare, delivered a historic performance at the 36th National Junior and Sub-Junior Canoe Sprint Championship-2026 held in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) from June 12 to 14, 2026, securing the overall championship title for the state. The state's athletes proved their excellence at the national level by winning a total of 39 medals.
Madhya Pradesh Emerges Champion in Four Categories
Madhya Pradesh clinched championship titles in the Junior Men, Junior Women, Sub-Junior Boys, and Sub-Junior Girls categories. The athletes' outstanding performance once again secured the top spot for Madhya Pradesh on the national water sports map.
Creating History with 39 Medals
Madhya Pradesh won a total of 39 medals in the competition, comprising 25 gold, 11 silver, and 3 bronze medals. In the Junior category's 1000m and 500m events, athletes won 24 medals (16 gold, 6 silver, and 2 bronze). Meanwhile, in the Sub-Junior category's 500m and 200m events, athletes secured 15 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, and 1 bronze).
Daughters of Khategaon Shine
Talented athletes from Khategaon in Dewas district also brought glory to the state with their magnificent performance.
Athlete Mahi Sahu made Madhya Pradesh proud by winning the gold medal in the Junior category's 500m C-4 event. Divyani Jat demonstrated her exceptional talent by winning two silver medals in the C-2 500m and C-4 1000m events. Meanwhile, Bhagyashree Sahu made a significant contribution to the state's medal tally by winning a silver medal in the K-4 200m event and a bronze medal in the K-2 200m event.
Sarang Extends Congratulations
Congratulating the athletes, coaches, and support staff on this historic achievement, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang remarked that athletes from Madhya Pradesh are consistently delivering outstanding performances in national competitions and bringing glory to the state. He expressed confidence that, in the future, the state's athletes would achieve new milestones at both national and international levels, thereby bringing honor to the country and the state.
A Golden Chapter in the Success of the Water Sports Academy
This achievement highlights the effectiveness of the scientific training, modern sports facilities, and well-structured talent development programs available at Madhya Pradesh's sports academies. Furthermore, this performance by the state's athletes—including the daughters of Khategaon—has emerged as a source of inspiration for young players and is establishing a new identity for Madhya Pradesh in the realm of sports.