Karnataka, Manipur Lead National Games Medal Tally

The National Games 2025 are underway in Uttarakhand, and the competition is heating up! From record-breaking weightlifting performances to fierce battles across disciplines, athletes are giving it their all. Who will emerge victorious?

BY PC Bureau

The opening day of the 38th National Games 2025 in Uttarakhand was electrifying, particularly in weightlifting, where records fell and states battled fiercely. Manipur shone brightly, thanks to its athletes, especially weightlifting star S Bindyarani Devi.

Manipur’s Golden Moment

S Bindyarani Devi clinched gold in the women’s 55kg weightlifting event, setting a new national record in snatch. After an initial setback at 83kg, Bindyarani lifted 88kg in her final attempt, surpassing Mirabai Chanu’s previous record of 86kg. She continued her dominance in clean and jerk, lifting 107kg in her first attempt and then 113kg, for a total of 201kg—just 1kg shy of her own national record.

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“I was well-prepared, and I am happy with my performance. It is always nice to have a record in your name,” Bindyarani said after her victory.

Adding to Manipur’s celebration, L Nilam Devi won bronze, giving the state two podium finishes in the event. Despite struggling in snatch, Nilam lifted 101kg in her second clean and jerk attempt.

#NetSnippet | Manipur’s Sarungbam Athouba Meitei has etched his name in history by clinching his second gold medal at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand. The Manipur star, who had earlier secured the State’s first medal in the Games, triumphed once again on Thursday, bringing… pic.twitter.com/AjYnGotDTN

— NORTHEAST TODAY (@NortheastToday) January 31, 2025

Weightlifting Highlights

The weightlifting competition was intense, with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh also impressing. Chhattisgarh secured two gold medals on Day 1, while Maharashtra led the overall medal count with six medals.

Women’s 45kg Category

Sufna Jasmin (Kerala) won gold with a total of 159kg (72kg snatch, 87kg clean and jerk). Dipali Gursale (Maharashtra) took silver with 151kg, and Rani Nayak (Madhya Pradesh) earned bronze with 146kg.

Men’s 55kg Category

Vijay Kumar (Chhattisgarh) matched the national clean and jerk record with a 143kg lift, totaling 248kg for gold. Mukund Santosh Aher (Maharashtra) secured silver with 247kg, and Goud Akash Shrinivas (Maharashtra) claimed bronze with 244kg.

Women’s 49kg Category

Gyaneshwari Devi (Chhattisgarh) won gold with a total of 191kg (85kg snatch, 106kg clean and jerk). Sarika (Maharashtra) secured silver with 179kg, and Komal Kohar (Haryana) clinched bronze with the same total.

Men’s 61kg Category

Ch. Rishikanta Singh (Services Sports Control Board) won gold with a total of 273kg (122kg snatch, 151kg clean and jerk). Sanket Mahadeva Sargar (Maharashtra) earned silver with 259kg, and teammate Shubham Tanaji Todkar grabbed bronze with 254kg.

Medal Tally Overview (Day 1)

Karnataka led the medal tally with seven gold medals, followed by Manipur with six gold and five silver. Maharashtra, though leading in total medals with 23, had four gold medals.

The National Games 2025 have begun with excitement. With records already broken and states like Manipur, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh performing well, the competition promises to be thrilling. Manipur’s weightlifting dominance and Bindyarani Devi’s achievement will inspire athletes nationwide.