From Sleepless Nights To Medal Glory: Bethlyne Makri Clinches Historic Race-Walk Bronze At KITG

A late switch, a steep learning curve, and plenty of self-doubt — Bethlyne Grace Makri turned it all into a breakthrough moment at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026.

A Leap Into The Unknown

As recently as December 2025, Makri was a middle and long-distance runner training at the SAI Sports Training Centre in Shillong. Then came an unexpected pivot. Her coaches spotted potential in race walking, a discipline she barely knew.

By January 2026, she had switched events entirely.

The transition was anything but smooth. The Khasi athlete from Meghalaya struggled to adapt to the demanding technique of race walking, enduring severe lower-body pain and sleepless nights in the early weeks.

“The first two weeks were really tough… the technicalities of race walk

are entirely different,” she said. “Sleepless nights followed… and I started doubting myself about whether the decision was right.”

Finding Strength Through Support

What kept her going was a strong support system. Encouragement from her coaches and family helped her push past the uncertainty and commit fully to the new discipline.

The youngest and only daughter among three siblings, Makri chose to trust the process, focusing on mastering technique and building endurance ahead of her first major test.

Bronze That Means More

That faith paid off in Jagdalpur. Makri clocked 1:05:18 to clinch bronze in the women’s race walk event, finishing behind Neha Xalxo of Jharkhand and Alish Ekka of Odisha.

“My coaches and family backed me fully… I thought of giving it a shot, and here I am today,” she said. “There is room for improvement, but it was just the kind of start I needed.”

She added, “The bronze medal… is a testament to the hard work, belief and backing of my coaches and my family.”

A First For Meghalaya

For Makri, a second-year BA student at Shillong College, the achievement carries added significance. She is the first race walker from Meghalaya to win a medal at the national level.

“There are no race walkers from Meghalaya… I believe my medal will encourage youngsters to take up the sport,” she said.

And perhaps most tellingly: “I have begun liking it too.”