Bengaluru, April 26 (Agency) Hosts Jain University lead the medal tally at the end of Day 4 of the second edition of Khelo India University Games here on Tuesday. Jain University’s swimmers bagged four of the 10 medals on offer, which placed them on the top with 10 medals (7 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze). A big number of universities also have been among the medals. Out of the 57 varsities, 24 of them have earned at least one gold. Eight records were broken in the pool. The biggest upset in boxing was staged by Muskan of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Shekhawati University by beating Games’ favourite Vinka of Kurukshetra University in the 57-60 kg category semifinals.
Vinka had won a gold at the AIBA Youth World Championships 2021. Ajmer Singh, Muskan’s coach, said Khelo India is a fantastic platform for those who are struggling to make a comeback. Muskan has had long bouts of injury and bad luck, Singh said, but by beating Vinka should give a boost to her confidence. “You may be fighting a big name, but they are not unbeatable. And if you beat them, you get noticed,” he said. In weightlifting, Savitribai Phule University dominated the penultimate day of the event. They won two golds, taking their tally to seven medals, the most by any in the event. New records in the event were set by gold medalists Vaishnav Thakur in 96kg class and Chirag Waghavale in 102kg class of Savitribai Phule University. The varsity is paced second in medals list with 15 medals. They won five gold, four silver and six bronze. In volleyball, SRM University trounced Bharathiar University in the women’s final to dominate the event, even as the sport, which is making its debut, is catching fire.
SRM remained unconquered through the Games and are the champs in addition to being the All India Inter-University champions. In the men’s volleyball, SRM dished out an upset, toppling Calicut University 3-0 in the final. Calicut University won gold in the All India Inter-University in 2021, where SRM finished with a bronze. Panjab University pawed their way back to third in the table, thanks to two golds in the shooting events. They won gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle team. Arav Singh Dagar won the Men’s Individual Trap. They have won 11 medals, out of which 4, 3 and 4 were gold, silver and bronze, respectively. Mumbai University completed a sweep in Mallakhamb, winning the women’s team event. There will be as many as 16 medals up for grabs on Wednesday. Archery competition and badminton men’s and women’s team finals will begin on April 27.