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Key Points

The inaugural Khelo India Beach Games witnessed an impressive performance by Daman & Diu in pencak silat. Prasanna Narendra Bendre and Kirtana Manojkumar Acharya clinched gold medals in their respective categories. The event not only highlights sporting talent but also aims to boost tourism in the region. With six medal sports and two non-medal events, the games promise exciting competition until May 24.

Key Points: Daman & Diu Shine in Khelo India Beach Games Pencak Silat

  • Daman & Diu wins two gold medals in pencak silat
  • Prasanna Bendre leads with international championship experience
  • Beach Games showcase unique martial arts competition
3 min read

Khelo India Beach Games 2025: Golden day for hosts Daman & Diu on Day 1 of pencak silat competition

Hosts dominate first day of pencak silat with gold medals, highlighting Union Territory's sporting prowess at beach games

"Better economy will help all sports and the infrastructure - Prasanna Narendra Bendre"

Diu, May 20

Hosts Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu had a golden start on Day 2 of the first Khelo India Beach Games in Diu on Tuesday. The first golds of the Games were decided in pencak silat competition with Daman & Diu, winning two of the first three.

Pencak silat is a form of Indonesian martial art and it was great see a Union Territory hemmed by the Arabian Sea excelling in the open competition at these Games. Prasanna Narendra Bendre of Daman & Diu won the gold in the senior men's tunggal (artistic) event while Kirtana Manojkumar Acharya of the home team struck gold in the senior female category.

A third gold was decided in the pencak silat completion in the morning session at the Ghoghla Beach. In solo event (artistic), Punjab's Aaryan won gold ahead of Odisha's Sohil Gurung. Pencak silat is an extremely technical sport with points awarded on artistic forms and creativity.

Bendre is the most accomplished player in the region with a silver and two bronze to his name at international events, no less. He won the silver in the 2022 Asian championship in Jammu and Kashmir, while his two bronze came in the 2024 Asian championship in Dubai and the 2024 world championship in Abu Dhabi.

Bendre really hopes these Khelo India Beach Games go a long way towards promoting tourism in Diu. "That will be good for us. Better economy will help all sports and the infrastructure," he said.

The beach soccer competition started on Monday and there was a spate of one-sided group matches in both men's and women's competitions. Lakshadweep recorded one of the biggest wins when their men thrashed Gujarat 19-1. Odisha women blanked Madhya Pradesh 18-0.

In these Games ending May 24, there are six - soccer, volleyball, kabaddi, open swimming, sepak takraw and pencak silat -- medal sports and two non-medal sports (mallakhamb and tug-of-war).

Pencak silat results

Solo Creative Senior Male: Gold: Aaryan with score of 560 (Punjab), Silver: Sohil Gurung, 542 (Odisha), Bronze: Vaibhav Valmik Kale, 541 (Maharashtra) and Kevin, 525 (Nagaland)

Tunggal Senior Female: Gold: Kirtana Manojkumar Acharya with score of 408 (Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu), Silver: Bhoomikajiten Drajain, 397 (Madhya Pradesh), Bronze: Edwina Lhinghoithem Hanghal, 387 (Nagaland) and Dolly Leishangthem, 380 (Manipur)

Tunggal Senior Male: Gold: Prasanna Narendra Bendre with score of 420 (Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu), Silver: Raja Das, 397 (West Bengal), Bronze: Ravees Ahmad, 391 (Jammu and Kashmir) and Krishna Narsing Panchal, 382 (Maharashtra)

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
What a proud moment for Daman & Diu! 👏 It's amazing to see smaller UTs shining in sports. Bendre's international experience clearly shows - hope he inspires more youth to take up martial arts. More such games should be held in coastal regions!
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Priya M.
First time hearing about pencak silat - the scoring system sounds fascinating! But 19-1 in beach soccer? 😳 Maybe teams need better preparation. Overall great initiative by Khelo India to promote less popular sports.
A
Arjun S.
As someone from Diu, this makes me so emotional! Our beaches are finally getting recognition beyond tourism. Bendre sir is right - better sports infrastructure will transform our islands. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
S
Sneha R.
Why isn't this getting more media coverage? We keep seeing only cricket everywhere. These athletes deserve equal spotlight. Kudos to Nagaland and Manipur players too - great to see Northeast representation!
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Vikram J.
The beach games concept is brilliant but organization could improve. Some matches seem too one-sided - maybe need qualifying rounds? Still, a good start. Hope next edition includes more water sports like surfing.
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Neha P.
Indonesian martial art in Indian beach games - this is true cultural exchange! 🇮🇩🤝🇮🇳 Would love to see demonstrations of how pencak silat differs from kalaripayattu. More such unique sports please!

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