Michoacán wins National Indigenous Sports Encounter 2026

Michoacán emerged as the overall champion of the 2026 National Indigenous Sports Encounter held in Palenque, Chiapas. The delegation secured nine medals in total, consisting of three gold, five silver, and one bronze.

More than 1,000 athletes from 17 Mexican states participated in the event, which featured five disciplines: athletics, basketball, soccer 7, volleyball, and purépecha ball. In the purépecha ball competition, Michoacán won the men's category, while Chiapas took the women's title. Other notable winners included Puebla in women's soccer 7 and men's volleyball, and Veracruz in women's volleyball.

Host state Chiapas finished second with six medals, and the State of Mexico took third place with five. In the athletics portion, Alondra Piña of the State of Mexico and Brian Pérez of Chiapas secured first place in the cross-country events.

The competition, organized as part of an initiative to promote physical activity and preserve the cultural identity of Mexico's indigenous communities, concluded in Palenque before transitioning to the National Encounter of Indigenous and Traditional Games and Sports in Tuxtla Gutiérrez.