Reliance Foundation Athletes Set to Shine at National Games 2025
Uttarakhand, January 27, 2025: The 38th National Games in Uttarakhand promises a spectacular display of talent, with over 50 athletes supported by Reliance Foundation competing across eight disciplines. From athletics and boxing to shooting, judo, badminton, weightlifting, wrestling, and table tennis, the games will run from January 28 to February 14, 2025, showcasing some of Indiaโs brightest sports stars.
Tokyo Medalist Lovlina Borgohain Leads the Charge
Headlining the contingent is Lovlina Borgohain, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, who returns to competition for the first time since the Paris Olympics. She will be joined by Himanshi Tokas, a rising star in judo and now ranked in the junior worldโs top 5, following her triumph at the African Cup in Casablanca.
Athletics: A Star-Studded Lineup
Reliance Foundationโs athletics team includes an array of national record holders and rising talents:
- Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles)
- Tejas Shirse (110m hurdles)
- Manikanta Hoblidhar (100m)
- Amlan Borgohain (200m)
- Rosy Meena Paulraj (pole vault)
Emerging athletes like Animesh Kujur, Indiaโs fastest man in 2024, along with DM Jayaram, Bapi Hansda, and Sakshi Chavan, are set to translate their junior-level successes onto the national stage.
James Hillier, Athletics Director at Reliance Foundation, highlighted the importance of the games:
โThe National Games provide an excellent opportunity for our athletes to gauge their fitness and readiness for the upcoming season. This year is crucial as many of our athletes are targeting the Asian Championships 2025. The games offer a perfect platform to achieve qualification marks and build momentum.โ
Red-Hot Form for Jyothi Yarraji and Tejas Shirse
Both Jyothi and Tejas enter the games in scintillating form, having shattered indoor national records in the 60m hurdles earlier this month. Jyothiโs achievements are further underscored by her recent recognition as an Arjuna Award recipient.
Rising Stars in Other Sports
Badminton:
The womenโs singles category will see fierce competition with Anupama Upadhyaya, Unnati Hooda, and Shriyanshi Valishetty among the top contenders.
Shooting:
- Palak Gulia, double Asian Games medalist, will compete in the 10m air pistol event.
- Ashi Chouksey, the reigning national champion in 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3 positions, is aiming for top honors after a stellar start to the year.
Table Tennis:
Veteran G Sathiyan will headline the menโs singles category, bringing his international experience to the domestic stage.
A Balanced Contingent of Experience and Youth
The Reliance Foundation contingent is a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging prodigies, all set to leave a mark at the National Games 2025. With the games serving as a launchpad for many athletes targeting international glory, Reliance Foundationโs investment in nurturing talent is poised to yield significant results.
As the athletes gear up for their events, India can expect thrilling performances, medal-winning moments, and the emergence of new stars in the world of sports.
Reliance Foundation Athletes Set to Shine at National Games 2025
