SHILLONG, Aug 31: Meghalaya retained the runners-up position at the 13th North East Zone Shooting Championship held in Guwahati from August 25 to 30, with the state contingent securing 37 medals.
Representing the Shooting Association of Meghalaya (SAM), the shooters won 13 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals to finish second in the overall standings. Host Assam topped the tally with 80 medals, including 39 gold, 21 silver and 20 bronze.
The performance marks the second consecutive year that Meghalaya has finished runners-up in the championship. At the 12th edition in 2025, the state had secured 61 medals - 24 gold, 22 silver and 15 bronze - to also finish second overall.
While Meghalaya's medal tally was lower this year compared to the previous edition, SAM highlighted the team's ability to maintain its second-place finish amid competition from Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, the Assam Rifle Marksmanship Unit, the Army and Sikkim.
Manipur finished third with 31 medals, followed by Mizoram with 22 and Nagaland with 17.
The championship was held at the Kahilipara Sports Shooting Range at the 4th APBn Complex in Guwahati.
SAM congratulated the shooters, coaches and support staff for their performance and said their continued dedication and training had helped Meghalaya remain among the leading shooting contingents in the region.
The association said it would continue to focus on improving shooting sports infrastructure and training opportunities in the state, with preparations also looking ahead to the 39th National Games 2027.