Assam’s Pallavi Payeng Wins Silver at Khelo India

RAIPUR (Chhattisgarh): Assam’s Pallavi Payeng secured a silver medal in the women’s 69kg weightlifting category at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games, marking a notable milestone in her return to competitive sport after motherhood.

Payeng lifted a total of 131 kg to finish second in the event, behind fellow Assamese athlete Dimpi Sonowal, who secured gold with a total lift of 155 kg. Agnes Fernandes of Goa finished third with 130 kg.

The silver medal represents what Payeng described as a “breakthrough moment” in her career, reaffirming her return to national-level competition after a period marked by personal and professional challenges.

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Her journey back to the podium began after a hiatus following childbirth. Faced with the decision of whether to continue her sporting career or focus on early motherhood, Payeng resumed training when her daughter was six months old, supported by her husband, former boxer Sukhawon Thouwmung, and her mother.

Returning to competition was not without setbacks. In 2023, she finished sixth at the state championships in Golaghat. However, she gradually regained form, winning silver at the 2025 state championships in Tezpur and securing gold at the ASMITA league the same year. Her continued improvement was further reflected in another gold at the ASMITA league this year.

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Payeng, who belongs to the Mising community of Assam, began her weightlifting career in 2018 and had established herself at the state level before the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted her progress. Her return to the sport required rebuilding both physical fitness and competitive rhythm.

Speaking about the challenges, Payeng noted that returning to training after childbirth required balancing emotional and physical demands, a process made possible through family support. Her daughter, now four years old, continues to split time between family homes as Payeng trains and competes.

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Officials and observers have pointed to her performance at the Tribal Games as indicative of both individual resilience and the growing presence of athletes from Northeast India in national competitions.

As of the latest tally, Assam stands third in the overall medal standings at the Khelo India Tribal Games, with four gold medals, behind Karnataka and Odisha.