The recently concluded Khelo India Para Games 2025 in New Delhi became a stage of triumph and inspiration as powerlifters from the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Gandhinagar delivered an outstanding performance. With unwavering determination and sheer hard work, these para-athletes bagged an impressive tally of 10 medals, including seven gold and three silver, leaving an indelible mark on the competition.
The para-powerlifting events, held at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium complex, saw the athletes from SAI Gandhinagar dominate the field. Leading the medal charge were Jhandu Kumar, Jaspreet Kaur, Seema Rani, and Manish Kumar, each of whom not only clinched gold in their respective categories but also shattered national records along the way. What made their achievement even more remarkable was that three of them — Jhandu, Jaspreet, and Manish — broke records they themselves had set just a week earlier at the national championships in Noida.
The effort and discipline behind this remarkable feat were reflected in the words of SAI Gandhinagar’s head powerlifting coach, Rajinder Singh Rahelu. A Paralympic bronze medallist himself, Coach Rahelu expressed immense pride in his team’s performance, highlighting the journey of steady progress the centre has undergone over the years. He noted that the exposure and experience gained from participating in events like the Khelo India Para Games have helped these athletes shed their fears and build the confidence needed to excel on bigger platforms.
The medal tally was further strengthened by gold medal victories from Gulfam Ahmed, Sandesha BG, and Paramjeet Kumar, while silver medals were claimed by Shiv Kumar, Ramubhai Babubhai, and Rahul Jograjiya. Adding to the sense of pride, all four national records set during the competition came from the talented NCOE athletes from Gandhinagar, underscoring the centre’s position as the country’s leading hub for para powerlifting.
Coach Rahelu, who has been associated with SAI Gandhinagar since 2016, spoke about how the centre has transformed over the past few years. From being a simple fitness facility, it has grown into a world-class training environment equipped with international-standard equipment, dedicated powerlifting halls, recovery facilities, and specialised coaching. He firmly believes this systematic development has created a nurturing space where para-athletes can dream big and work towards global success.
Looking ahead, Coach Rahelu has his sights firmly set on the World Championships in Egypt later this year, with the aim of winning at least three to four medals. He also expressed hope that several athletes from the centre will make India proud in upcoming events like the Commonwealth and Asian Games, and possibly at future Paralympics. His belief in the potential of his athletes is unwavering, and their recent success is a testament to the power of resilience, discipline, and dedicated support.
The Khelo India Para Games, launched as part of the broader Khelo India mission, continues to offer a vital platform for para-athletes to showcase their talent and inspire millions across the country. The stellar performance of SAI Gandhinagar’s powerlifters at this year’s edition is a shining example of how far India’s para-sports ecosystem has come — and how much further it can go, driven by passion and purpose.
