Jaipur, Nov 25 (NationPress) Meenakshi Rohilla, a cyclist from Guru Nanak Dev University, secured the inaugural gold medal of the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025 in the women's individual time trial held in Jaipur on Tuesday. In the weightlifting segment, Kajol Sargar of Shivaji University earned gold in the women's 48kg category, while Sakshi Padekar from Lovely Professional University triumphed in the women's 10m Air Rifle event as the sporting festivities commenced across various venues in the state.

With cycling debuting at the Khelo India University Games, it was fitting that the first gold medal was awarded to a cyclist making a return to road events after a significant hiatus.

Meenakshi, a bronze medallist from the 2022 Asian Championships in Team Pursuit, demonstrated her prowess in road racing, executing a well-planned race strategy to clinch the gold. She trains at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Patiala.

The 23-year-old cyclist trailed local favorite Pooja Bishnoi of Maharaja Ganga Singh University during the initial lap of 10 km but accelerated to complete the 30km Individual Time Trial with a time of 00:45:31.907, achieving an average speed of 39.5 km/hr.

“My strategy today was to remain patient, keep my rhythm steady, and avoid rushing. I focused on conserving energy initially and gradually upped my pace. Once in the lead, my aim was to maintain consistency and control the pace of the race,” Meenakshi stated, reflecting on her training for these time trials over the past three months.

“Previously, I participated in this event without specific training. This time, it was a strategic approach developed with my coaches, helping me grow as an athlete, and I am thrilled to have secured the gold,” she added.

Bishnoi took home the silver medal, clocking in at 00:46:52.003, while Apurva Gore from Savitribai Phule Pune University earned the bronze with a time of 00:47:24.933.

Manav Sarda achieved the first gold medal for Maharaja Ganga Singh University in the men's 40km Individual Time Trial with an impressive performance, averaging 46 km/hr and finishing at 00:52:12.947. Jai Dogra of Panjab University and Gaurang Singh Gaur from Lovely Professional University claimed silver and bronze medals, respectively.

At the Jagatpura shooting range, Sakshi Padekar captured the women's 10m Air Rifle gold with a final score of 253.2. Disha Dhankhar from Panjab University secured silver with 252 points, while R Narmada Nithin of the University of Madras won bronze with a total of 230.5.

Sakshi also topped the qualification round with a total of 633.5 and aided her university in clinching the team gold alongside Priyanka Das and Sanjeeta Das with an overall score of 1884 points.

In Bikaner, Kajol Sargar of Shivaji University secured the gold in weightlifting's women's 48kg category with a total lift of 158kg. The 19-year-old from Sangli, Maharashtra, who previously won gold at the Khelo India Youth Games in 2022, dominated the snatch with a lift of 73kg in her second attempt, leading by almost seven kilograms over Rani Nayak from Chandigarh University. She then lifted 85kg in Clean & Jerk to solidify her gold medal.

Rinki Nayak from Berhampur University excelled in the Clean & Jerk, lifting 86kg on her third attempt to earn silver with an aggregate of 149kg, while Rani secured bronze with a total lift of 148kg.

The fifth edition of KIUG 2025 is taking place across seven cities in Rajasthan, featuring 4448 athletes from 222 Universities competing in 23 medal disciplines. The Games are organized under the auspices of the Sports Authority of India, in conjunction with the Rajasthan Government and the State Sports Council, and are being hosted by Poornima University.

RESULTS

BADMINTON (ROUND OF 16):

Men: Panjab University defeated Jadavpur University, WB 3-0; Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University defeated Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya 3-0; Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University defeated Andhra University 3-0; Chitkara University Punjab defeated University of Delhi 3-0

CYCLING:

Women:

Individual Time Trial: Gold—Meenakshi (GNDU) 00:45:31.907; Silver – Pooja Bishnoi (MGSU) 00:46:52.003; Bronze: Apurva Gore (SPPU) 00:47:24.933

Men:

Individual Time Trial: Gold – Manav Sarda (MGSU) 00:52:12.947; Silver – Jai Dogra (PU) 00:53:14.315; Gaurang Singh Gaur (LPU) 00:54:32.813

FOOTBALL (GROUP STAGE)

Women:

Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu defeated Goa University 1-0; University of Calicut defeated Adamas University 5-0

HOCKEY

Women: MD University, Haryana defeated Lovely Professional University 2-1; Guru Nanak Dev University defeated The Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Sports University, Punjab 6-0

SHOOTING

WOMEN:

10m Air Rifle: Gold – Sakshi Padekar (LPU) 253.2; Silver – Disha Dhankhar (PUC) 252; Bronze – R Narmada Nithin (UM) 230.5

10m Air Rifle team: Gold – Lovely Professional University 1884; Silver – Panjab University 1878; Bronze – Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University – 1876.2

WEIGHTLIFTING

Women

48kg: Gold: Kajol Sargar (SHU) 158kg; Silver: Rinki Nayak (BR U) 149kg; Bronze: Rani Nayak (CHU) 148kg.