In a historic achievement for Indian martial arts, Lipin Ete from Arunachal Pradesh has secured both a gold and a silver medal at the prestigious USA Open 2026 Karate Championship. Held at the Fort Worth Convention Centre in Texas from April 1 to 5, the tournament saw Ete emerge as the first karate athlete from Northeast India to participate and stand on the podium at this world-renowned event.
A student of Don Bosco College, Itanagar, and a dedicated trainee at Xtreme Martial Arts India, Lipin Ete is the daughter of Dr. Marli Ete and Emi Tayu Ete, hailing from Kugi Pomte village in the West Siang district. Her remarkable performance on the international stage is an important turning point for the sporting community of Arunachal Pradesh, showcasing the rising caliber of athletes from the region.
The Indian contingent delivered a powerhouse performance throughout the five-day event, which featured over 3,500 participants from 40 different countries. Team captain Aniket Gupta and veteran athlete Deepika Dhiman, both of whom serve in the Income Tax Department under the Union Finance Ministry, continued their dominant streak by bagging a gold and a silver medal each in the senior category. Notably, this marks the sixth time since 2015 that both Gupta and Dhiman have secured medals at the USA Open.
Other standout performers for India included Yashpal Singh Kalsi, who clinched gold in the Master 45-plus category, while Reetika and Apoorv Arora both brought home silver medals. The USA National Karate Federation, in collaboration with the US Olympic Committee, organizes the USA Open, which is widely regarded as one of the most elite platforms for kata, kumite, and team events globally.
Following the news of the victory, the Arunachal Pradesh Amateur Karate Do Association (APAKDA) expressed immense pride in Ete’s success. President Kyoshi Yarda Niki and General Secretary Shihan John Bagang extended their heartfelt congratulations to Ete and the entire Indian squad, noting that such achievements inspire the next generation of martial artists across the country. As Lipin Ete returns home, her historic win is expected to further boost the profile of karate as a competitive sport in Northeast India.
