Panjab University Starts Khelo India Campaign with Golden Victory
Panjab University made a spectacular start to their Khelo India University Games campaign in Udaipur, securing an impressive gold medal in judo through the exceptional performance of Mehak Singh in the women's 52 kg category. The talented judoka displayed complete dominance throughout the competition, winning all three of her bouts to claim the prestigious title.
Mehak Singh's Path to Gold Medal Glory
The championship journey began with Mehak demonstrating her technical superiority against Shaikhom from Manipur, securing victory with a clear technical edge. Her momentum continued into the second round where she outclassed Sandhya Tiwari of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. The final match saw Mehak overcoming a determined challenge from Anmol of the University of Calicut to clinch the gold medal.
This remarkable victory continues Mehak Singh's outstanding winning streak in competitive judo. The athlete currently holds the distinguished title of All India University Champion for 2024-25, which she earned at GNDU Amritsar. Her international credentials include a bronze medal achievement at the Senior Asian Cup in Taipei, establishing her as one of India's promising judo talents.
Training Background and PU's Multi-Sport Success
Mehak's journey to national recognition began five years ago when she started training at the sports complex in Sector 34, Chandigarh under the guidance of coach Vivek Thakur. Her systematic training and dedication have clearly paid dividends, transforming her into a champion athlete capable of representing India at international competitions.
Panjab University's success at the Khelo India University Games extended beyond the judo mat. The institution celebrated multiple medal achievements across different disciplines. Jai Dogra secured a silver medal in cycling, while Disha Dhankar earned silver in the 10m air rifle individual event. The women's 10m air rifle team, comprising Disha Dhankar, Manya Mittal, and Rashmeet Kaur, collectively won another silver medal for PU.
The medal tally continued to grow with Keshav Kaushik claiming bronze in swimming and Yashkeerat Kaur adding bronze in fencing. These collective achievements demonstrate Panjab University's strong sporting culture and the effectiveness of their athlete development programs across multiple disciplines.
Broader Implications for University Sports
The outstanding performance by Panjab University athletes at the Khelo India University Games highlights the growing importance of university-level sports development in India. Such competitions provide crucial platforms for young athletes to showcase their talent and gain valuable competitive experience. The success stories emerging from these games often serve as inspiration for younger generations to pursue sports alongside academics.
With athletes like Mehak Singh demonstrating that university sports can lead to national and international recognition, institutions across India are likely to increase their focus on sporting infrastructure and training facilities. The Khelo India initiative continues to play a vital role in identifying and nurturing sporting talent at the grassroots level, creating a robust pipeline for future champions.
