The Khelo India University Games KIUG 2025 continued to deliver compelling sporting action as the judo and weightlifting arenas witnessed intense battles, tactical brilliance, and standout individual performances.
With universities from across the country competing in tightly contested divisions, Day 3 of the Games highlighted the depth and diversity of talent emerging from India’s university sports ecosystem.
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The judo mats saw a mix of explosive throws, tactical groundwork, and remarkable mental discipline as athletes fought for supremacy across four weight categories.
Women’s 48kg: GNDU’s Jaanvi Yadav Secures a Confident Gold
The women’s 48kg division opened with Jaanvi Yadav (Guru Nanak Dev University) asserting early dominance, eventually sealing the gold medal through a combination of sharp gripping and well-timed ippons. Her victory showcased GNDU’s growing reputation in women’s combat sports.
She was followed by Ganga Thapa (MSU), who claimed silver after a spirited campaign marked by speed and technical transitions. The bronze medal went to Saniya NB (Central University of Karnataka), who displayed great defensive resilience throughout her bouts.
Women’s 52kg: Mehek Singh Leads the Podium
In the 52kg category, Mehek Singh of Panjab University produced a powerful run to gold, blending aggression with smart counter-attacks. Her semifinal and final wins were marked by explosive transitions from standing to groundwork.
Silver went to Anumol A (CUK), who impressed with her grip control but fell short in the final. Manvi (CCS University) secured bronze, overcoming early setbacks to finish on the podium.
Men’s 60kg: DAVU Takes the Top Spot
The men’s 60kg division delivered some of the most intense judo of the day. Anurag Sagar (DAV University) captured gold with a dominant display, showcasing excellent speed and tactical maturity.
Om Sameer Hingmire (SRTM University) forced a close final, battling aggressively for silver. The bronze went to Rahul Verma (MSUS University), who rebounded well after a narrow quarterfinal loss.
Men’s 66kg: Vinay Kumar’s Clinical Finish Earns Gold
In the highly competitive 66kg bracket, Vinay Kumar (Cluster University of Delhi) stood out for his composed, strategic approach. His gold-medal performance was highlighted by well-timed hip throws and strong posture control.
Ayush Mawri (Rajasthan Technical University) earned silver, while Choudhary Prashant Raj Singh (HMNG University) powered through the repechage rounds to claim bronze.
Weightlifting: LPU and Shivaji University Dominate With Precision and Power
Weightlifting at KIUG 2025 produced high-octane performances as lifters battled through snatch and clean-and-jerk rounds, pushing personal limits and thrilling spectators.
Women’s 48kg: Kajol Sargar Makes a Triumphant Return
In the women’s 48kg division, Kajol Sargar (Shivaji University) a former Khelo India Youth Games star completed a remarkable comeback to win gold with a total lift of 158kg (73kg snatch, 85kg clean & jerk). Her performance, made more impressive by her recovery from a long-term hip injury, reaffirmed her status as a top-tier university lifter.
Rinki Nayak (Berhampur University) clinched silver with 149kg, while Rani Nayak (Chandigarh University) closely followed with 148kg for bronze.
Women’s 53kg: Bornali Borah Edges Out Kiuchangliu in a Thriller
The 53kg category produced the closest contest of the day. Bornali Borah (LPU) lifted a total of 168kg, narrowly beating Kiuchangliu Gangmei (Manipur University), who finished with 167kg after a dramatic final clean & jerk attempt.
Anu N (University of Calicut) completed the podium with 150kg.
Men’s 60kg: LPU’s Golom Tinku Dominates the Field
In the men’s 60kg division, Golom Tinku (LPU) delivered one of the standout performances of the Games, lifting 256kg (112kg snatch, 144kg clean & jerk) to take gold with a massive margin.
Kumbheswar Mallik (Chandigarh University) earned silver at 223kg, while Sachin (CT University) claimed bronze with 214kg.
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From the tactical intensity of judo to the raw power of the weightlifting stage, Day 3 of KIUG 2025 revealed the competitive strength of university athletes across India. GNDU’s technical excellence in judo and LPU’s commanding presence in weightlifting stood out, but the day overall reflected the growing depth and professionalism of India’s university sports system.
As the Games progress, these performances set the tone for more high-quality competition and compelling storylines in the days ahead.
