Khelo India University Games 2025: Meenakshi Rohilla Shines with Gold in Cycling

Exciting Start to Khelo India University Games 2025

Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], November 25: In a thrilling opening to the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025, cyclist Meenakshi Rohilla from Guru Nanak Dev University secured the first gold medal in the women's individual time trial. Meanwhile, Jain University, led by Olympian swimmer Srihari Nataraj, took an early lead in the medal standings at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium complex on Tuesday, as reported by a local media outlet.

This fifth edition of KIUG 2025 is taking place across seven cities in Rajasthan, featuring 4,448 athletes from 222 universities competing in 23 different medal events. The Games are organized under the auspices of the Sports Authority of India, in partnership with the Rajasthan Government and the State Sports Council, with Poornima University serving as the host.

On the first day, a total of 25 gold medals were available, and Jain University dominated by winning eight out of eleven swimming golds. They also secured two silver and four bronze medals, establishing a significant lead over Lovely Professional University, which earned two golds in shooting and two in weightlifting.

Guru Nanak Dev University also had a successful day, clinching three gold medals. Mitvaben Chaudhari won gold in the women's Eppe, while Aakhri took home gold in the women's Saber, following Meenakshi's earlier victory.

Olympian Srihari Nataraj excelled by winning two individual gold medals and leading Jain University to victory in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay. He began his campaign with a gold in the men's 100m backstroke, clocking 58.25 seconds, and quickly returned to secure gold in the 50m freestyle with a time of 23.79 seconds.

Other gold medalists from Jain University included Bhavya Sachdeva (women's 400m freestyle), Shoan Ganguly (men's 200m IM), Manikanta L (men's 200m breaststroke), Nina Venkatesh (50m freestyle), and the women's 4x200m relay team.

Cycling made its debut at the Khelo India University Games, with Meenakshi winning the first gold medal. The 23-year-old, who previously earned a bronze at the 2022 Asian Championships in Team Pursuit, showcased her skills in road racing. She executed a strategic race, finishing the 30km Individual Time Trial in 45 minutes and 31.907 seconds, averaging 39.5 km/h.

Meenakshi shared her strategy, stating, "Today, my plan was to remain patient, keep my rhythm, and avoid rushing early. The strategy worked perfectly," as she reflected on her three months of preparation for the time trials.

Pooja Bishnoi from Maharaja Ganga Singh University earned the silver medal with a time of 46 minutes and 52.003 seconds, while Apurva Gore from Savitribai Phule Pune University secured bronze with a time of 47 minutes and 24.933 seconds.

In the men's 40km Individual Time Trial, Manav Sarda claimed the first gold for Maharaja Ganga Singh University, finishing in 52 minutes and 12.947 seconds.

In shooting, Sakshi Padekar from Lovely Professional University won gold in the women's 10m Air Rifle event with a score of 253.2. Disha Dhankhar from Panjab University took silver with 252 points, while R Narmada Nithin from the University of Madras earned bronze with 230.5 points at the Jagatpura Shooting Range.

Sakshi also excelled in the qualification round, scoring 633.5 and helping her university secure the team gold alongside Priyanka Das and Sanjeeta Das with a total of 1884 points.

In weightlifting at Bikaner, Kajol Mahadev Sargar from Shivaji University (women's 48kg), Golom Tinku from Lovely Professional University (men's 61kg), and Bornali Borah (women's 53kg) all won gold medals at the Indoor Hall of Maharaja Ganga Singh University.

Despite battling a hip injury for two years, Kajol, a former Khelo India Youth Games gold medalist, lifted a total of 158 kg (73 kg in Snatch; 85 kg in Clean & Jerk) to outpace Rinki Nayak from Berhampur University (149 kg) and Rani Nayak from Chandigarh University (148 kg).

In the men's 61kg category, Golom lifted a total of 256 kg (112 kg in Snatch; 144 kg in Clean & Jerk), surpassing Khumbheswar Mallik from Chandigarh University (223 kg) and Sachin from CT University (214 kg), who finished second and third, respectively.

Later, Bornali lifted a total of 168 kg (73 kg in Snatch; 95 kg in Clean & Jerk) to secure the top position, closely followed by Kiuchangliu Gangmei from Manipur University for silver (167 kg) and Anu N from the University of Calicut for bronze (150 kg).