How Did Harshita Jakhar Achieve a Triple Gold in KIYG 2025?

New Delhi, May 8 (NationPress) The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 has been a pivotal moment for Harshita Jakhar, an 18-year-old cyclist from Rajasthan, who made headlines with a remarkable golden trifecta at the Yamuna Velodrome situated in the Indira Gandhi Indoor Complex on Thursday.

This athlete, part of the Target Asian Games Group, showcased her exceptional ability to handle pressure and delivered her best performance during KIYG 2025.

Her victories in the 500m Time Trial, 7.5km Scratch Race, and 2km Individual Pursuit during her KIYG debut not only highlighted the ongoing Games but also demonstrated the immense discipline and passion for cycling that runs in the Jakhar family.

Harshita's impressive medal tally was significantly supported by her father and coach, Rakesh Jakhar.

A former cyclist who participated in the Commonwealth Games 2010 and an accredited coach from NIS Patiala, Rakesh is the driving force behind Harshita's entry into the sport. “She has consistently secured gold medals at the national championships,” Rakesh, 42, stated in an interview with SAI Media.

Her journey in cycling commenced in August 2020 when Rakesh encouraged Harshita and her younger cousin Aditya to start cycling on the streets of Patiala. What began as a simple morning routine unveiled Harshita’s extraordinary endurance. “I realized they could cover 30–40 km without breaking a sweat. That’s when I recognized Harshita's potential to excel,” Rakesh remarked.

By 2021, Harshita dominated her initial trials in Bikaner in the U-14 category and was swiftly integrated into the national team. She clinched gold medals in consecutive Nationals held in Mumbai and Hyderabad, and her international breakthrough came with a silver and two bronze medals at the 2024 U-18 Asian Championships in Delhi. She is currently part of the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Patiala.

Rakesh attributes his daughter’s achievements to her unparalleled work ethic. “She is incredibly committed to her training. Her endurance is a natural gift. She trains with rigor, adheres to the process, and never declines even the toughest training regimes,” he explained.

“She possesses faith in her coach and the mental fortitude to match. Our Rajasthani heritage provides us with a natural advantage in endurance—we just need to harness it. I have assisted her in doing just that,” he further added.

Harshita acknowledges her father’s unwavering support in molding her career. “I owe everything to my father’s commitment. He is the reason I’m in cycling. Throughout the lockdown, he motivated me daily. He always envisioned that I could win medals,” she expressed.

With three gold medals in hand and a promising future in the junior circuit, Harshita is now aiming for greater challenges.

“I’m transitioning into the senior category. My goal is the World Championships, and I aspire to achieve strong results in both track and road events. I aim to place in the top 10 at the 2026 Asian Games and secure a medal at the 2030 Asian Games,” she stated.

Harshita’s younger siblings are also developing an interest in cycling, inspired by their father and sister.

“Even my uncles are involved in cycling. We are a family of four sisters and one brother—three of us are already engaged in the sport, and I’m confident the younger two will follow suit,” Harshita, who also previously played cricket, mentioned.