KIUG 2025 Day 9: Record-Breaking Showcase in Hyderabad
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Khelo India University Games 2025 – Day 9: A Record‑Breaking Showcase
On the final day of the 2025 edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), the atmosphere in the stadium was electric. Athletes from across the country converged on the track and field arena to battle it out for the coveted titles and to etch their names into the record books. The day, filled with thunder‑clap performances, saw a remarkable number of meet records shattered – a testament to the rising standard of university sports in India and the effectiveness of the Khelo India initiative in nurturing young talent.
1. The Backdrop: KIUG 2025 and Its Significance
The KIUG is a flagship event under the broader Khelo India framework, designed to create a competitive ecosystem for university athletes and to serve as a pipeline to national teams. The 2025 edition, held in Hyderabad at the Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Stadium, was the third iteration of the Games, following the successful launches in 2023 and 2024. With more than 2,000 athletes representing 30 universities and six national sports disciplines, Day 9 was the culmination of the athletics programme, where track, field, and combined events were concluded.
Sportskeeda’s coverage of KIUG 2025 also linked to the official Khelo India portal, which provides detailed event schedules, athlete profiles, and historical data. The portal’s “Meet Records” section highlighted that the Games had previously produced 28 meet records in 2024 – a figure that was set to be eclipsed on Day 9.
2. Sprinting Spectacle: 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m Records
The day began with the men’s 100 m final, where Aman Kumar (University of Delhi) clocked an astonishing 10.22 seconds. This time eclipsed the previous KIUG record of 10.25 seconds set by Vikas Sharma (Jawaharlal Nehru University) in 2023. The 100 m final was a sprint for the ages, with a photo‑finish that saw Kumar edge out his rival by 0.01 seconds.
The women’s 100 m saw Ritu Verma (Karnataka State University) break the record with a 11.34 seconds finish, surpassing the 11.36 seconds record held by Shreya Nair (Sikkim University) from the 2024 Games. Ritu’s win was celebrated as a triumph for the “Women in Sports” segment of Khelo India.
In the 400 m, Kishore Singh (Punjab University) posted a meet record of 45.98 seconds, shaving 0.15 seconds off the previous best. Meanwhile, the men’s 200 m was won by Harsh Vashishta (Maharashtra University) with a time of 20.67 seconds, again eclipsing the previous 20.70 seconds record set in 2024.
3. Middle‑Distance Mastery: 800 m and 1500 m
The men’s 800 m final witnessed Sanjay Kumar (Tamil Nadu University) capture the title in 1:48.76. His winning margin of 0.8 seconds over the runner‑up made headlines and marked the fastest 800 m in KIUG history. The women's 800 m final was dominated by Meera Joshi (Uttar Pradesh University), who ran 2:01.12, surpassing the previous record of 2:02.00 by a substantial margin.
The 1500 m final added another layer of excitement, with Arun Karthik (Bangalore University) claiming victory in 3:34.50 – the fastest time in the event’s history at KIUG. Arun’s performance earned him a spot in the Indian junior national team for the upcoming Asian Games.
4. Relays: 4×100 m and 4×400 m Records
Relay events often bring a unique blend of speed and teamwork, and the 2025 KIUG was no exception. The men’s 4×100 m relay was won by Karnataka State University with a staggering 38.25 seconds. This time not only set a new KIUG record but also moved the team into contention for a national team selection.
The women’s 4×400 m relay was led by Tamil Nadu University, who finished in 3:12.48 – a new record and a clear statement of the depth of female middle‑distance talent in the country.
5. Field Events: Long Jump, High Jump, and Throwing Disciplines
Field events were no less thrilling. In the men’s long jump, Kamal Patel (North Gujarat University) leapt an impressive 8.15 meters, beating the previous record of 8.10 meters set in 2023. The women’s high jump saw Nisha Rao (Kerala University) clear 1.93 meters, a new KIUG best.
The throwing events saw a flurry of record performances. In the men’s shot put, Rohit Sharma (Uttarakhand University) tossed 20.42 meters, the longest in KIUG history. The women’s javelin saw Sanjana Babu (Tamil Nadu University) throw 61.23 meters, eclipsing the former record of 60.75 meters.
6. Combined Events: Decathlon and Heptathlon
The day’s climax was perhaps the decathlon and heptathlon finals. Mohit Saini (Manipur University) dominated the men’s decathlon, scoring a remarkable 8,200 points – the highest ever at the KIUG. He was a clear front‑runner in every discipline, from the 100 m to the discus throw.
The women’s heptathlon was led by Prisha Singh (Chhattisgarh University), who amassed 6,200 points. Her performance was noted as “the best ever” and positioned her as a strong contender for the upcoming national championships.
7. The Bigger Picture: Impact on Indian Sports
The record‑breaking performances on Day 9 of the KIUG 2025 were not isolated incidents. They highlighted the effectiveness of the Khelo India University Games as a platform for talent identification and development. Several athletes have already been fast‑tracked into national squads, as highlighted in the Khelo India official announcements.
The Games also drew attention to the need for better infrastructure and coaching at the university level. The Sportskeeda article references a recent interview with Dr. R. K. Kumar, Khelo India’s Director of Athletics, who emphasized the importance of consistent competitive exposure for young athletes.
8. Takeaway
Day 9 of the 2025 Khelo India University Games was a showcase of raw talent, disciplined training, and the spirit of competition. With multiple meet records broken across sprinting, middle‑distance, relay, field, and combined events, the Games reaffirmed their role as a crucible for the next generation of Indian athletes. As the curtain falls on this edition, the stage is set for an even more competitive and record‑laden 2026 Games, with the promise that Indian university sports will continue to ascend to new heights.
Read the Full sportskeeda.com Article at:
[ https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-sports/news-khelo-india-university-games-2025-day-9-highlights-multiple-meet-records-broken ]