Shillong, Feb 15: Pynshngaiñ Kurbah (18), a Class 10 student of MeECL Secondary School, Sumer, Ri Bhoi District has brought laurels to the State by winning a silver medal at canoe slalom K1 in 5th Khelo India Youth Games at Madhya Pradesh (MP).

Pynshngaiñ kurbah is coached by Australian kayaker Ian Vincent, and trains on the Untrew River at Whitewater Village, the site for the annual Megha Kayak Fest.

Kurbah is familiar with creek boats but he was using the canoe slalom kayaks for the first time in the Khelo India event at MP.

Kurbah did not get sufficient training time at the venue, which was a disadvantage for all the paddlers except the home state paddlers.