Khelo India Para Games 2025: Powerlifters Seema Rani, Jhandu Kumar Break National Records; Mona Agarwal Shoots Gold

Add as a preferred source on Google

New Delhi, March 24: The fifth day of the Khelo India Para Games 2025 witnessed record-breaking performances as two new national records were set in para powerlifting.

Seema Rani (Punjab) lifted 97 kg in the women's elite 61kg category, while Jhandu Kumar (Bihar) recorded an impressive 206 kg in the men's elite 72kg category.

Meanwhile, in para shooting, Paris 2024 Paralympics bronze medallist Mona Agarwal clinched gold in the Mixed 50m Prone SH1 event with a score of 243.3. The Rajasthan shooter had already secured two silver medals in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 and mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2 categories, further cementing her dominance at the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.

The penultimate day of para shooting also saw Rajasthan's Nihal Singh successfully defend his Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 title, showcasing his exceptional marksmanship ahead of his participation in the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Haryana Tops Medal Standings as Powerlifters Shine

At the time of writing, 160 medals had been decided, with Haryana surging ahead in the medal tally with 29 gold medals, overtaking Tamil Nadu (24 golds) and Rajasthan (22 golds).

Powerlifters continued to deliver outstanding performances. Seema Rani, a 39-year-old from Jalandhar, who has polio since the age of three, defended her Khelo India Para Games title, marking her second consecutive gold at the event. Having taken up para powerlifting only five years ago, she has since competed in international tournaments, including the World Championships.

"It feels amazing to set a new national record and win back-to-back golds. I am grateful to SAI for their top-notch facilities, which allow us to perform at our best," Seema told SAI Media.

Similarly, Jhandu Kumar (Bihar), who began his powerlifting journey in 2014, secured his first-ever gold medal at the Khelo India Para Games, having previously won silver in 2023. "This platform is crucial for para athletes like me. Winning gold after silver last year is a proud moment," he said.

Results - Key Winners

Para Shooting:

• R6 - Mixed 50m Prone SH1
• 🥇 Gold: Mona Agarwal (Rajasthan)
• 🥈 Silver: Anandha Krishnan H (Kerala)
• 🥉 Bronze: Sachin Siddannavar (Karnataka)

P3 - Mixed 25m Pistol SH1

• 🥇 Gold: Nihal Singh (Rajasthan)
• 🥈 Silver: Amir Ahmad Bhat (Jammu & Kashmir)
• 🥉 Bronze: Sandeep Kumar (Haryana)

Para Powerlifting:

Elite - 59kg:

• 🥇 Gold: Gulfam Ahmed (Delhi)
• 🥈 Silver: V Saravanan Vijayan (Tamil Nadu)
• 🥉 Bronze: Gaurav (Uttar Pradesh)

Elite - 65kg:

• 🥇 Gold: Joby Mathew (Kerala)
• 🥈 Silver: Arvind Makvana (Gujarat)
• 🥉 Bronze: Gadadhar Sahu (Odisha)

Elite - 72kg:

• 🥇 Gold: Jhandu Kumar (Bihar)
• 🥈 Silver: Ramubhai Babubhai Bambhava (Gujarat)
• 🥉 Bronze: Vikram Singh Adhikari (Maharashtra)

Elite - 55kg:

• 🥇 Gold: Suman Devi (Haryana)
• 🥈 Silver: Jasmine Michlin Amalorpavam J (Tamil Nadu)
• 🥉 Bronze: Bharti Agarwal (Uttarakhand)

Elite - 61kg:

• 🥇 Gold: Seema Rani (Punjab)
• 🥈 Silver: Zainab Khatoon (Uttar Pradesh)
• 🥉 Bronze: M Nathiya (Tamil Nadu)

With one day remaining in the Khelo India Para Games 2025, the race for the top spot in the medal standings is set to intensify as athletes push for podium finishes in their respective events.