National Games 2023: Maharashtra crowned overall champions for first time in 29 years

Srihari Nataraj is the best male athlete and Sanyukta Kale & Pranati Nayak are the best female athletes of the Games.

Nov 9, 2023 - 23:30

National Games 2023: Maharashtra crowned overall champions for first time in 29 years

Table-toppers Maharashtra clinched three gold medals in Yogasana and one more from shooting on the final day of the 37th National Games to clinch the Raja Bhalindra Singh Rolling Trophy for overall championship for the first time since 1994.

Maharashtra finished with a total of 228 medals, including 80 gold, 69 silver and 79 bronze medals to end Services Sports Control Board’s reign at the top since the 2007 Games in Guwahati. SSCB finished second, bagging 66 gold, 27 silver and 33 bronze medals, while Haryana were third in the standings with 62 gold, 54 silver and 73 bronze.

Madhya Pradesh and Kerala finished fourth and fifth respectively with hosts Goa registering their best ever finish of 9th with a total of 92 medals, including 27 gold.

Karnataka swimmer Srihari Nataraj (8 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze) was adjudged the Best Male Athlete while gymnasts Sanyukta Prasen Kale and Pranati Nayak of Odisha (4 gold, 1 silver each) were adjudged the Best Female athletes of the 37th National Games, which witnessed almost 11000 sportspersons vying for top honours in 42 sports disciplines, three of which were demo sports.

With just 12 gold medals to be grabbed on the final day of the competition, Maharashtra were already assured of...