KIPG 2025: Jaspreet Kaur and Manish Set New Powerlifting Records; TN and Haryana Lead
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On March 23, 2025, Jaspreet Kaur and Manish achieved remarkable success at the Khelo India Para Games, setting new national records in powerlifting. Jaspreet lifted 101 kg in the 45 kg category, while Manish lifted 166 kg in the 54 kg category. Tamil Nadu and Haryana jointly led the medal tally with 24 golds each.
Key Takeaways
- Jaspreet Kaur broke the national record in the 45 kg powerlifting category.
- Manish set a new national record in the 54 kg category.
- Tamil Nadu and Haryana each won 24 gold medals.
- Jaspreet's lift improved by 16 kg in less than two years.
- Shanmugam claimed three gold medals in athletics.
New Delhi, March 23 (NationPress) On the fourth day of the second edition of the Khelo India Para Games, Jaspreet Kaur from Punjab and Manish from Haryana made headlines. Jaspreet emerged as the first athlete in KIPG 2025 to set a new national record, lifting 101 kg in the 45 kg category to win the gold medal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium complex on Sunday. Manish also made his mark by lifting 166 kg, establishing a national record in the 54 kg category.
By the end of Sunday’s events, a total of 132 gold medals had been awarded, with Tamil Nadu and Haryana leading the medal tally with 24 gold medals each. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh followed with 17 and 16 gold medals, respectively.
Jaspreet shattered her previous national record of 100 kg to set a new milestone at Khelo India Games 2025. In December 2023, she had also secured a gold medal with a lift of 85 kg. “I aimed to perform even better this time. Breaking a national record has also boosted my position in the national rankings,” she stated, according to SAI Media.
Achieving a lift of 16 kg more in under two years was a significant challenge. Jaspreet engaged in rigorous training, experimented with new techniques, and modified her diet for better fitness. Overcoming anxiety issues was her greatest hurdle.
“I made my debut in 2022 at the nationals and felt relatively new to the sport. It took time to understand that building strength and muscle requires patience. It took me three years to achieve such performances,” shared Jaspreet, who has battled polio since the age of 3.
Shanmugam Secures Three Gold Medals
Following three days of intense competition, the athletics segment concluded on Sunday with Ramesh Shanmugam from Tamil Nadu emerging as a promising talent. By winning the men’s 1500 run (T53/T54 category), Shanmugam claimed his third gold medal of the 2025 Khelo India Para Games.
Bhagyashri Madh Jadhav also secured her second gold of the tournament in women's shot put in the F33/F34 category, having previously won gold in the women’s javelin throw F33/F34 category on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the archery events concluded at the JLN Stadium with star para archer Sheetal Devi defeating rival Payal Nag from Odisha to clinch the gold medal in the compound women's open category in a closely-fought final.
The 44-year-old para archer Adil Mohammed Nazir Ansari from Maharashtra added another gold medal to his collection in the W1 round men's event, reaffirming his skill despite his age.
At the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Sumedha Pathak from Uttar Pradesh caused a stunning upset in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 category, defeating Rubina Francis, the 2024 Paralympics medallist and tournament favourite, to claim the gold medal.
Additionally, Maharashtra's Sagar Balasaheb Katale won the top prize in the MIXED 10m air rifle Prone SH2 categories, overcoming Tokyo 2020 Paralympian Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar, who took home the silver.
