Jaipur, Nov 25 (NationPress) Pooja Bishnoi, a remarkable athlete from Rajasthan, etched her name in history during the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025 by securing a medal in cycling, marking a significant achievement for the host state.

Pooja clinched a silver medal in the women’s elite 30 km individual time trial held along the Jaipur-Agra Highway, showcasing not just her prowess against fellow competitors but also triumphing over various challenges.

This 22-year-old, hailing from a humble farming background in Bikaner, was more than a mere contestant; she represented resilience and determination, having pedaled through hardships much steeper than the roads she raced. By the end of the event, she became the first athlete to bring home a medal for Rajasthan at this prestigious seventh edition of the Games, proudly representing Maharaja Ganga Singh University.

The competition began with an intense start typical of cycling events, but Pooja surprised everyone by taking the lead after the first 10 km lap. With unwavering rhythm and posture, she captivated the audience and sparked excitement among coaches and spectators alike.

However, in cycling, experience can often be the deciding factor. Meenakshi Rohilla, a seasoned cyclist representing Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, started to pull ahead in the following laps, having an extensive background that included medals from the Asia Cup and Asian Championships.

Ultimately, Meenakshi claimed gold with a time of 45:31.907, while Pooja finished with a commendable 46:52.003, a performance that echoed far beyond mere statistics.

Pooja viewed her medal as a testament to her journey. “I’m very happy with my result,” she expressed, her genuine smile radiating joy. “I led after the first lap, but Meenakshi’s experience made a difference. I had just completed a 100 km race two days prior, so fatigue kicked in. However, winning the first medal for my university in our home state’s inaugural KIUG means everything to me.”

Her cycling journey commenced at 16, inspired by her elder brother, a former cyclist. The path was fraught with difficulties: financial struggles, rigorous training, and persistent self-doubt.

“Initially, I wondered if I’d chosen the right sport,” she recalled. “Yet, with my family's unwavering support, things began to shift.”

A pivotal element of her success stemmed from the Asmita scholarship, which has aided her participation in numerous zonal and national competitions. She has received nearly ₹2 lakh via Asmita, funding crucial equipment and enhancing her training.

“For girls like me from underprivileged backgrounds, even ₹10,000 is monumental. Asmita and KIUG have unlocked opportunities that were previously unattainable,” she remarked.

As cycling marks its debut as a medal event at KIUG and Rajasthan hosts the Games for the first time, Pooja emerges not just as a medalist but as a beacon of hope, illustrating the boundless potential of determination and opportunity.

Her silver medal shines like a promise: that daughters from rural India can also carve their names into the annals of national history.