Shillong, September 18: Meghalaya’s shuttlers secured four bronze medals after all four local semifinalists bowed out on the penultimate day of the North East Zone Inter-State Badminton Championship 2026 at the JN Indoor Stadium here on Thursday.

The four-day championship is being organised by the Meghalaya State Badminton Association with the support of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, under the aegis of the Badminton Association of India.

Although none of the Meghalaya players could advance to the finals, reaching the semifinals assured each of them a bronze medal. The performances also provided valuable competition ahead of next year’s 39th National Games, which Meghalaya will host.

Elsarica Umdor was the first Meghalaya player in semifinal action, losing to Assam’s Avikaa Borgohain 15-7, 15-10 in the women’s singles.

In the U-19 girls’ singles, Netania T. Tariang was defeated by Assam’s Noimikha Saikia 15-3, 15-8.

Netania also featured in the U-19 mixed doubles semifinals alongside teammate Gavin Kharbuki. The Meghalaya pair went down 15-10, 15-10 to Mizoram’s Vanlalpekhlua and Lalrinhlui Hmar.

The final Meghalaya pair in the semifinals, Gitchiak Bregim A. Sangma and Sonnal Joshi, started strongly against Manipur’s M. Hemam and P. Konjengbam but eventually lost 15-10, 15-6.

The championship has brought together leading shuttlers from across the Northeast, including established senior players and emerging U-19 talent.

With their campaigns over, the Meghalaya players will have an opportunity to watch Saturday’s finalists and gain further experience ahead of the state’s preparations for the National Games.

Meghalaya Director General of Police Idashisha Nongrang, IPS, has consented to be the chief guest at the closing ceremony on Friday.