The Junior Age

Category: Sports News

Everything You Need to Know About Khelo India Youth Games 2025

The Khelo India Youth Games 2025 is a major national sporting event that started on May 4 and will end on May 15, across multiple locations in Bihar and New Delhi. Over 5,000 young athletes from various states and union territories of India participated in 27 different sports disciplines, including athletics, gymnastics, shooting, and esports (as a demonstration event). Athletes compete to win medals, and each medal contributes points to their respective state or union territory’s overall tally. The state or union territory with the highest number of gold medals at the conclusion of the games is declared the over- all winner. The Khelo India Youth Games serve as a significant platform to identify and nurture young sporting talent, promoting sports development and encouraging a culture of athletic excellence throughout India.

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The official mascot of the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 is Gajasimha. Gajasimha is a mythical creature combining the power of an elephant and the heart of a lion, inspired by ancient temple sculptures from the Pala dynasty period in Nalanda and Bodh Gaya. It symbolises strength, wisdom, endurance, and fearless leadership, representing the spirit of young athletes competing in the games.

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Khelo India Youth Games 2025 medal tally

What is the Khelo India initiative?

The Khelo India initiative is a national program launched by the Government of India in 2017-18 to promote sports and fitness across the country, especially at the grassroots level. Its main goal is to improve India’s sports culture by identifying talented young athletes, organising structured competitions, and developing sports infrastructure nationwide.

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Snooker Superstar Pankaj Advani Strikes Again

Pankaj Advani, the snooker superstar from India, just won the 2025 Asian Snooker Championship in Doha. This is his 14th gold medal at this championship! Pankaj Advani faced off against Amir Sarkhosh from Iran in the final match. It was an intense battle, but Pankaj Advani showed off his amazing skills and won with a score of 6-3. Imagine him making those tricky shots while everyone is watching – that takes a lot of focus!

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This tournament is super important because it brings together the best snooker players from Asia. Pankaj’s victory not only adds to his impressive collection of medals but also makes him a true champion in the sport. He’s like a superhero in the world of snooker! So, next time you hear about snooker, remember Pankaj Advani – he’s making history one shot at a time!

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India’s Outstanting Performance at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships

The Indian contingent finished their 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan with 17 medals. India was placed sixth in the overall medal tally. The Indian team won a total of six gold medals, five silver medals, and six bronze medals to register their best-ever performance at the World Para Athletics Championships. The previous record for India stood at 10 medals, which included three gold medals, at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. China finished as the most successful country in the competition this year with a total of 87 medals. 

Some Incredible Victories by Indian Para Athletes are described below:

Indian Para Athlete Smashes World Record 

Twenty-year-old Deepthi Jeevanji from Telangana, has created history at the World Para Athletics Championships. With a time of 55.07 seconds, she won gold in the women’s 400m T20 event, smashing the previous record. She has also qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. 

The T20 category is meant for athletes with intellectual impairment.

Sprinter Simran Sharma Wins Gold

Simran Sharma won the gold medal in women’s 200m T12 event with a personal best time of 24.95 seconds on the final day of competitions. Her remarkable performance saw her improve her previous best of 25.16 seconds to win the gold.

 The T12 category is meant for athletes who have vision impairment.

Spectacular Performance by Mariyappan Thangavelu

Two-time Paralympics medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu won his maiden gold medal at the World Para Athletics Championships by leaping 1.88m in the men’s T63 high jump event. The mark also helped him breach the championships record, which was held by Sharad Kumar at 1.83m.

The T63 category is meant for athletes with a leg amputation, who compete with prosthetics in a standing position.

India’s other gold medal winners were Sumit Antil (Men’s Javelin Throw F64), Sachin Khilari (Men’s Shot Put F46), and Ekta Bhyana (Women’s Club Throw F51)

End Of An Era! Rafael Nadal Announces Retirement

Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from professional tennis. He is 38-years-old. Rafael Nadal’s final tournament will be the Davis Cup finals this November in Malaga. 

 

Also Read Sunil Chhetri Announces Retirement

 

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He has won 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including a record 14 French Open titles. He is often referred to as the “King of Clay” due to his dominance on clay courts, particularly at the French Open. Rafael Nadal won a gold medal in men’s singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and also won a gold medal in doubles in 2016 Rio Olympics.

 

Rafael Nadal plays with his left hand, which is quite rare in tennis. This gives him a unique playing style!

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Besides tennis, he enjoys playing football and is a big fan of Real Madrid, one of the most famous football clubs in Spain.

 

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First Indian Woman Racer to Win National Championship

Diana Pundole, a teacher and mother from Pune, has made history as the first Indian woman to win the national championship in the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024 held in Chennai.

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Her achievement is especially notable as it comes in a sport traditionally dominated by men, highlighting her determination and skill despite numerous challenges.

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