Shillong, Aug 12: The archers of South West Khasi Hills claimed first place in the Indian Round in the Meghalaya State Archery Championship 2026, though there is still plenty of scope for the other districts to catch up in the recurve and compound events tomorrow.
The three-day championship, which began yesterday, is organised by the Archery Association of Meghalaya (AAM) and is being held at the Sports Authority of India centre on the NEHU campus.
SWKH claimed 5 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals, giving the district first place, just ahead of West Khasi Hills (4G, 2S, 5B) in a keenly contested fight. East Jaintia Hills (3G, 2S, 2B) impressed in third, while East Garo Hills (3G, 1S, 2B) were fourth (and highest among the Garo Hills districts) and East Khasi Hills (1G, 4S) fifth.
All districts have won at least one medal, apart from North Garo Hills, which is yet to get off the mark.
Indian Round is a competitive archery category nationally that uses traditional bamboo, cane or wood bows and arrows that mimic modern technical setups. Created in 1989, one of its pioneers was Meghalaya’s own Woodward Sohliya. With modern bows and arrows expensive, the Indian Round makes the sport affordable, preserves indigenous traditions and serves as a popular grassroots entry point.
The Indian Round was contested from the sub-junior up to the senior levels for males and females and in individual, team and mixed team categories.
The concluding day tomorrow will see all the recurve and compound events take place.
