Tamil Nadu Tops the Medal Table at Interstate Championships

The 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships concluded in Bhubaneswar after five days of outstanding performances, national records, and a flood of Asian Games qualification marks. While individual brilliance grabbed the headlines, the medal table also offered an insight into which states continue to dominate Indian athletics.

Tamil Nadu finished on top after edging Uttar Pradesh on the basis of silver medals, with both states winning nine gold medals each. Haryana, long regarded as one of India’s athletics nurseries, completed the top three.

Tamil Nadu’s Remarkable Depth

Tamil Nadu once again underlined why it remains one of India’s strongest athletics states. The contingent was led by standout performers including Vishal TK, Praveen Chithravel, Vithya Ramraj, and the men’s 4×400m relay team, all of whom clinched gold medals. Hurdlers Nandhini K and Baranica Elangovan also continued the state’s rich tradition in the hurdles. The state has invested heavily in athletics over the past decade, and the results are increasingly evident across both track and field events.

Uttar Pradesh Close Behind

Just one silver medal separated Uttar Pradesh from the title. The state enjoyed another exceptional championship, led by Parul Chaudhary, Annu Rani, and middle-distance stars Yoonus Shah and Gulveer Singh, whose memorable 1500m duel was among the highlights of the meet. Uttar Pradesh continues to produce athletes across endurance, jumps, and throws.

Haryana Continues to Deliver

Few states contribute as consistently to Indian athletics as Haryana. Its five gold medals reflected strength across multiple disciplines, with athletes such as Pooja (high jump gold), Balkishan (3000m steeplechase gold), and a host of throwers and sprinters keeping Haryana firmly among India’s athletics elite. The state’s sporting ecosystem continues to produce athletes capable of competing on the international stage.

Kerala’s Middle-Distance Legacy

Kerala once again showcased its tradition of producing outstanding runners. National 800m record holder Mohammed Afsal, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, and several relay prospects contributed to another strong finish as the state claimed fourth place.

Maharashtra’s Field Event Strength

Despite finishing fifth, Maharashtra produced some of the championships’ biggest moments. Sarvesh Kushare rewrote the national record books in the high jump with a stunning 2.31m, while the state also enjoyed success in throws and jumps, collecting eight bronze medals—the highest of any state.

Karnataka’s Consistency

Karnataka matched Haryana with 15 overall medals, finishing sixth only because of fewer gold medals. The state impressed through athletes like Unnathi Bollanda, Yashas Palaksha, Sindhushree G (who shattered the national record in the pole vault), and several emerging quarter-milers and jumpers, underlining its depth across sprint and hurdle events.

Hosts Odisha Shine

Hosts Odisha celebrated three gold medals and six overall podium finishes. Backed by world-class infrastructure at the Kalinga Stadium and the Odisha Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre, the state continues to establish itself as one of India’s emerging athletics hubs.

Punjab’s Throwing Tradition Continues

Punjab’s medal haul was spearheaded by Damneet Singh, who booked his Asian Games berth in the hammer throw with a throw of 69.72m, while the state continued its long-standing excellence in the throwing events.

A Championship to Remember

Beyond the medal table, the 65th Inter-State Championships will be remembered for the sheer quality of performances. National records by Sarvesh Kushare, Dev Meena, Sindhushree G, and Ancy Sojan, along with dozens of Asian Games qualification marks, made this one of the strongest editions of the championships in recent memory.