Powerlifting athletes from the Sports Authority of India (SAI)’s National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Gandhinagar showcased their dominance at the second edition of the Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) 2025, which concluded in Delhi on Thursday. The NCOE campers secured an impressive haul of 10 medals, including seven golds, at the para-powerlifting event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium complex, according to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Among the standout performers were Jhandu Kumar (men’s 72kg), Jaspreet Kaur (women’s 45kg), Seema Rani (women’s 61kg), and Manish Kumar (men’s 54kg), each breaking national records en route to their gold medal wins. Notably, the trio of Jhandu, Jaspreet, and Manish surpassed their own national records set just a week earlier at the nationals in Noida.
SAI Gandhinagar’s head powerlifting coach, Rajinder Singh Rahelu, a bronze medallist at the 2004 Summer Paralympics, expressed pride in his athletes’ achievements. “Just before KIPG, we won 12 medals at the national championships, including 8 golds and 3 national records. Now, we have secured 10 medals, including 7 golds and 3 silver, with 4 more national records. Our athletes have gained confidence and are prepared for international competition,” Rahelu said.
In addition to the national record holders, SAI Gandhinagar’s Gulfam Ahmed (59kg), Sandesha BG (80kg), and Paramjeet Kumar (49kg) also claimed gold medals, while Shiv Kumar (49kg), Ramubhai Babubhai (72kg), and Rahul Jograjiya (88kg) secured silver.
Established as an NCOE in 2019, SAI Gandhinagar has grown into India’s premier training facility for para powerlifting. Coach Rahelu highlighted the facility’s evolution: “Since 2016, we’ve steadily improved. By 2022, young athletes started training regularly. Now, we have a dedicated powerlifting hall with world-class equipment and recovery facilities.”
Looking ahead, Rahelu set ambitious goals for the athletes. “Our immediate focus is to win 3-4 medals at the World Championships in Egypt this October. With the Commonwealth and Asian Games next year, we are preparing with full dedication. We believe future Paralympic medallists will emerge from this centre,” he said.
