Day 11: Khelo India Youth Games 2025 – The ongoing games are revealing remarkable young athletes, evidenced by Haryana’s hockey triumph, historic weightlifting medals for Bihar and J&K, and boxing dominance from Haryana and Delhi.
Haryana Clinches Hockey Gold, Eyes Junior Nationals
The boys’ hockey final, a tense affair contested at the Rajgir Sports Complex, culminated in a narrow 1-0 triumph for Haryana over Uttar Pradesh. The intense match saw Haryana, led by captain Pankaj Sharma, maintain their composure until the final whistle. Sharma credited their coach, Gurbaz Singh, for their rigorous training and guidance. Singh expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete under pressure and affirmed their readiness for the Junior Nationals. Having secured bronze last year, Haryana’s gold medal signifies their progress and ambition to contribute players to the national junior team.

Weightlifting Records Tumble as Bihar and J&K Mark Historic Wins
The weightlifting arena in Rajgir witnessed history being made as Jammu & Kashmir and host state Bihar clinched their first-ever medals in the sport. On the final day of the five-day competition, Kerala’s Amritha P. Suni’s exceptional performance in the girls’ +81kg weightlifting category culminated in her winning the gold medal.
Adding to the excitement, the competition witnessed a remarkable total of ten national records being shattered, exceeding the eight records set in the previous edition.
KIYG 2025 Weightlifting: Bhati’s Golden Lift for Haryana in Rajgir
He successfully lifted a combined weight of 268 kilograms, a feat that earned him the coveted gold medal in this weight class. This remarkable achievement underscores Bhati’s dedication and the effectiveness of his training regimen, positioning him as a significant prospect in the national weightlifting scene. Ujjwal Singh’s bronze in weightlifting marked a first for Bihar in the category.
Mizoram’s Samuel Strikes Gold in Boxing; Haryana and Delhi Assert Dominance
At the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Patna, the boys’ 70kg boxing final saw a significant moment for Mizoram as 17-year-old Samuel Jaideng, the son of ex-national boxer JD Lalreinsanga, clinched the state’s inaugural gold medal in the competition.
He defeated Uttar Pradesh’s Peveen Yadav in a decisive 5-0 victory. Samuel’s win is fueled by his family’s struggles and his determination to join the Khelo India scheme for better training and financial support for his father’s medical treatment.
While Samuel’s victory was significant for Mizoram, Haryana dominated the boys’ boxing events, securing 6 out of 10 gold medals. Delhi’s girls also showcased their strength, claiming 5 gold medals out of 10. The boxing finals saw several closely contested bouts, highlighting the competitive spirit of the young athletes.

Bihar’s Thang-Ta Triumph in Gaya; Manipur Leads.
The indigenous sport of Thang-Ta, held in Gaya, concluded with host Bihar creating history by winning their first two gold medals. The Thang-Ta competition held in Gaya highlighted Manipur’s enduring strength in the sport, as they once again topped the medal tally with an impressive three gold medals.
Priyadarshini Prerna and Mahika Kumari secured the historic golds for Bihar. The event saw participation from 128 athletes across 25 states in various weight categories and featured two formats of the martial art. Hailing from Manipur, coach Sarangthem Tiken Singh’s expertise significantly elevated Bihar’s showing in the Thang-Ta competition through crucial skill development and strategic guidance.
Day 11: Khelo India Youth Games 2025- Haryana Shines in Fencing at Rajgir
Rajgir’s fencing event witnessed a stellar showing by Haryana, who secured two golds, including a hard-fought victory in the men’s foil team category.Expressing profound satisfaction with his team’s showing in all fencing events, their coach, Narendra Singh, emphasized the unwavering commitment and demanding preparation undertaken by the athletes, a significant number of whom refine their skills at the pivotal National Centres of Excellence located in Patiala and Aurangabad.

2 comments
It’s incredible to see such young talent shining at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025! Haryana’s hockey team’s victory was well-deserved, and Pankaj Sharma’s leadership stood out. The historic weightlifting medals for Bihar and J&K are a testament to the growing sports culture in these regions. Amritha P. Suni’s gold in weightlifting was truly inspiring, and the ten national records broken show the rising standards of competition. Ujjwal Singh’s bronze for Bihar must be a proud moment for the state. Samuel Jaideng’s performance in boxing also highlights the potential of Mizoram in the sport. Do you think these athletes will continue to dominate in the national and international arenas in the coming years?
Absolutely! The talent at Khelo India Youth Games 2025 is outstanding. Haryana’s hockey win, Amritha P. Suni’s gold, and record-breaking performances show great promise. Athletes like Ujjwal Singh and Samuel Jaideng are proof that regions like Bihar and Mizoram are emerging strong. With continued support, many of them could shine on national and international stages soon.