Will Maharashtra clinch the team title at KIYG 2025?

Patna, May 14 (NationPress) With a remarkable achievement of securing 10 gold medals, Maharashtra has successfully retained its lead on the medal tally and is poised to capture the team championship title as the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 draws near to its conclusion. Their athletes' exceptional performance in the track and field events has provided them with a significant advantage over Haryana and Rajasthan, currently in second and third place on the medal board as of Wednesday.

While host Bihar may not feature in the top 10 teams this year, their presence is certainly felt. Bihar's gold medal count has reached seven with commendable performances in Thang-Ta, a traditional martial art from North-East India. Under the guidance of a Manipuri coach, Bihar clinched two gold medals in this discipline held in Gaya.

Each evening at the Patliputra Sports Complex, Bihar's athletes have showcased their prowess. In a stunning display of talent, Khushi Yadav dominated the 2000m steeplechase, securing gold effortlessly. This marked Bihar's second gold in track and field, complementing Alka Singh’s success in shot put.

The weightlifting events concluded in Rajgir on Wednesday, where a total of 13 youth national records were established. Bihar and Jammu & Kashmir celebrated their first weightlifting medals of the Games, while Maharashtra continued to showcase its strength in this category.

These Games have highlighted emerging talent, many of whom train at various Khelo India centres or National Centres of Excellence. The boxing segment also wrapped up, revealing surprises such as Mizoram’s Samuel Zadeng, who captured gold in the 70 kg division.

As anticipated, Haryana's boxers showcased their dominance in the ring, drawing attention from talent scouts.

In the boys' football final held in Begusarai, Jharkhand triumphed over Odisha to claim the title, with Meghalaya and Mizoram sharing third place. The final was fiercely contested, ending 2-2 in regular time and resulting in a tense shootout that saw Jharkhand win 5-4.

On the penultimate day of wrestling events, Haryana wrestlers excelled, winning three out of seven available gold medals. In the girls’ 69kg category, Haryana’s Manisha secured victory over Rajasthan’s Palak Yadav with a score of 4-0, while bronze medals went to Anshika Yadav from Uttar Pradesh and Sukhdeep Kumari from Punjab.

In the boys’ Greco-Roman category, Haryana’s Vineet (71kg) claimed gold, and in the boys’ U-17 freestyle event, Sahil earned the third gold for the state in the 55kg class after defeating Delhi’s Chirag Dahiya. The bronze medals were awarded to Maharashtra’s duo, Soham Sunil Kumbhar and Dhanraj Ganapati Jamnik.

With the final day of competition approaching, seven wrestling gold medals remain to be claimed. Even if Haryana secures all seven, Maharashtra appears to be in a strong position with a commanding lead of over 20 gold medals.