Itanagar: Team MCC from Shi-Yomi district has made history by becoming the first Indian team to clinch the title at the 3rd National Adventure Racing Championship – Adventure at Mechukha.
Competing against 20 national and international teams, the homegrown quartet rose to the top in this grueling multi-sport event, held in the breathtaking terrain of Mechukha, Arunachal Pradesh.
The championship, spanning nearly 130 km, tested participants through a series of extreme adventure sports, including mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, and grappling.
Team MCC—comprising captain Joti Mane, Tajum Dere, Rinsing Tsering Gyana, and Tape Rida—overcame penalties and tough odds to emerge as the top-performing Indian team.
“This was our first attempt, and we’re thrilled to have made it count. Despite the setbacks, we stayed focused and pushed through,” said Mane, elated with the team’s breakthrough performance.
While Team ABK from Malaysia topped the overall chart, Team Shi-Yomi and Team Ziro followed in second and third positions. Team MCC’s victory also earned them a direct qualification for the prestigious Asia Adventure Racing Championship to be held in Malaysia in October 2025.
Looking ahead to the international challenge, Mane said, “We’ll be training hard, both mentally and physically, to represent India with pride on the Asian stage.”
Organised by NthAdventure in partnership with the Arunachal Pradesh tourism department, the event ran from April 17–20 and is part of the globally recognised Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) – Asia Series. It also marked Arunachal Pradesh as the first Indian state to host a border adventure race.
This year’s edition featured participants from 12 Indian states and international teams from Malaysia, Nepal, and South Africa.
The championship not only highlighted the athletes’ grit and teamwork but also spotlighted Arunachal Pradesh as a rising destination for eco-tourism and high-adrenaline sports.
Also read: Mein pitches Arunachal as global Buddhist tourism hub at IBC
