The Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 moved into full competitive rhythm on Tuesday as the Judo events officially commenced at 10:00 am at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indoor Stadium inside BN College, Udaipur.
With Rajasthan hosting India’s largest university sporting event for the first time, the smooth start of the Udaipur cluster marks an important milestone in the multi-city Games. The launch was marked by strong participation numbers, intense early bouts, and the presence of several high-performing university judokas. According to Khelo India Judo in-charge Dr Himanshu Rajora, the event has attracted 112 athletes from 51 universities, including multiple medalists from national and international competitions.
This blend of established performers and rising student-athletes sets the stage for four days of competitive, high-intensity Judo in Udaipur.
A Packed Schedule and Daily Medal Deciders
The Judo competition is structured across four consecutive days, with matches taking place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, followed immediately by medal ceremonies each day. This format ensures that the discipline contributes daily to the overall KIUG medal table, where universities compete for supremacy through gold medal accumulation.
The schedule for the Judo events is as follows:
•November 25: Men’s 60–66 kg; Women’s 48–52 kg
•November 26: Men’s 73–81 kg; Women’s 57–63 kg
•November 27: Men’s 90–100 kg; Women’s 70–78 kg
•November 28: Men’s 100+ kg; Women’s 79+ kg
The opening day categories—typically among the most competitive—signal the start of active medal contention for universities. As the attached report highlights, these lighter weight divisions often see the highest participation and can offer teams an early boost in the championship standings.
Udaipur’s Role in a Decentralized, Ambitious KIUG 2025
The KIUG 2025 spans seven host cities across Rajasthan, a decentralized format designed to maximize the state’s diverse infrastructure. Udaipur known for its lakes, sporting culture, and tourism-friendly facilities has been assigned three specialized disciplines: Judo, Beach Volleyball, and Kayaking–Canoeing. This strategic venue allocation allows the Games to utilize both indoor arenas and natural landscapes effectively.
The successful start of Judo confirms that the Udaipur cluster has executed its operational launch on schedule, further validating the overall planning and coordination undertaken by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Association of Indian Universities (AIU), and the Rajasthan state government.
Beach Volleyball and Kayaking–Canoeing Venues Near Completion
While Judo gets underway, the final touches are being put in place for two other disciplines set to begin later in the week.
Beach Volleyball, debuting at KIUG 2025, will be held at Ganga Ghat in Udaipur from November 28 to December 1. District Sports Officer Dr Mahesh Paliwal confirmed that a specially prepared competition-level sand court is now in the final phase of readiness. A total of 64 athletes from across India will take part, adding a new dimension to KIUG’s expanding sports portfolio.
The transformation of Ganga Ghat into a temporary world-class beach volleyball venue reflects the “multi-sport adaptability” that KIUG 2025 aims to deliver, especially in a landlocked state like Rajasthan. This aligns with the broader Games strategy noted in the report, where unique local environments are integrated into competition design.
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Following Beach Volleyball, the focus shifts to Kayaking and Canoeing, scheduled from December 2 to 4 at the scenic Fateh Sagar Lake. With 206 athletes set to participate, this event is the first-ever aquatic discipline hosted by KIUG in Rajasthan. The technical setup—buoy course design, lane marking, and water condition monitoring—is underway, as noted in the operational analysis attached, making it one of the most complex venues to finalize.
A Strong Start to a Significant University Games Edition
The 2025 edition of the Khelo India University Games is one of the most ambitious yet, featuring 5,000 athletes from over 230 universities across 23 medal sports. Rajasthan’s multi-city hosting model was considered a logistical challenge, but the on-time start in Udaipur underscores the state’s preparedness and the central coordination of the national sports governing bodies.
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For Udaipur, the commencement of Judo is more than just the opening of another competitive discipline it marks the launch of a crucial segment of the Games, with medal implications each day and major new sports waiting to unfold in the days ahead.
With the Judo mats now active, Beach Volleyball courts nearing completion, and Fateh Sagar’s aquatic course under final inspection, the Udaipur cluster is poised to play a defining role in the success of KIUG 2025.
As the matches continue through the week, all events will be streamed live, ensuring nationwide access to the rising generation of university athletes competing for glory under the Khelo India banner.
