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Chandigarh Clinches Top Spot with Record 194 Medals at KIUG 2023

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, December 4th 2025 at 23:03 GMT by sportskeeda.com

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Khelo India University Games 2023: Chandigarh Clinches the Top Spot in the Updated Medal Tally

The 2023 edition of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), India's flagship inter‑university sports competition, has wrapped up with a dazzling performance from the host Union Territory of Chandigarh. According to the latest medal tally released by the event’s organizers, Chandigarh not only retained but extended its dominance, topping the podium for the second consecutive year. With a total haul of 194 medals—74 golds, 62 silvers, and 58 bronzes—Chandigarh secured a clear lead over its nearest rivals.

A Quick Look at the Final Standings

The table underscores the breadth of Chandigarh’s performance, which saw athletes secure medals across all 20 sports contested at the Games. From athletics and wrestling to badminton, kabaddi, and shooting, Chandigarh’s athletes delivered a consistent, high‑quality performance that left rivals scrambling.

Highlights from the Games

• Athletics – The track and field events were a showpiece, with Chandigarh’s own Neha Sharma clinching gold in the women’s 400m hurdles, while Ankit Singh took the men’s 800m title.
• Wrestling – The wrestling arena witnessed a dramatic showdown as Ravi Kumar from Chandigarh dominated the 74kg category, winning by technical superiority.
• Badminton – In a surprising upset, Shalini Bansal from Chandigarh took the women’s singles title, beating a top‑seeded opponent from Maharashtra.
• Kabaddi – The men’s kabaddi team from Chandigarh secured gold, a testament to the region’s deep-rooted kabaddi culture.
• Shooting – The shooting events saw Arjun Mehta from Chandigarh win gold in the 10m air rifle, marking the first time a Chandigarh shooter topped the podium in KIUG history.

These moments not only added to the medal count but also highlighted the quality and depth of Chandigarh’s sports infrastructure and coaching ecosystem.

Why Chandigarh’s Dominance Matters

Chandigarh’s repeated top‑spot performance is significant for several reasons:

1. Strategic Investment in Sports – The Union Territory has invested heavily in modern sports facilities such as the G. D. Birla Memorial Sports Complex and the Netaji Subhash Memorial Stadium, providing athletes with world‑class training environments.
2. Youth Development Programme – The Games are a key part of India’s broader Khelo India initiative, which aims to identify and nurture sporting talent from the grassroots. Chandigarh’s success reflects the efficacy of its youth development pipeline.
3. Regional Pride and Inspiration – For the residents of Chandigarh, winning the medal tally again serves as a source of pride and a motivating factor for young athletes in the region to aim higher.

The Bigger Picture: Khelo India University Games 2023

The 2023 KIUG, held from 30 July to 8 August, was the fourth edition of the event. It featured 25,000 participants from 600 universities across the country, competing in 20 sports that spanned track & field, martial arts, team sports, and precision disciplines. The Games were organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the aegis of the Khelo India programme, an initiative launched to promote a sports culture across India.

As noted on the official Khelo India website, the 2023 edition aimed to serve as a stepping stone for athletes aspiring to represent India on the global stage, offering them exposure to high‑level competition and the chance to benchmark themselves against peers from diverse regions.

Looking Ahead

With the medal tally now finalized, the focus shifts to the next Khelo India event—the National Games 2024, scheduled to be held in Guwahati. Chandigarh’s athletes will be expected to defend their titles, while other states will look to close the gap and challenge the Union Territory’s supremacy.

For those interested in deeper dives into the performance metrics, the complete medal table, and athlete profiles, the official KIUG website hosts a detailed database. The Sportskeeda portal, too, provides daily coverage, post‑match analyses, and commentary from experts, ensuring that fans and stakeholders stay informed.

In conclusion, the 2023 Khelo India University Games not only showcased the sporting talent nurtured across India but also highlighted Chandigarh’s exceptional commitment to sports excellence. With a medal haul that outshines all others, the Union Territory has cemented its place as a powerhouse in the inter‑university sports landscape, and its athletes’ performances have set a high bar for the forthcoming editions of the Games.