PU 2nd as Pune varsity consolidates

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

Savitribai Phule Pune University consolidated their position at the top of the medal tally in the inaugural Khelo India University Games as they lapped up three more gold medals on Thursday.

While Mahesh Datta Asawale and Prajkta Ravindra Khalkar triumphed in weightlifting, Jyotiba Bajrang Atkale added to Pune varsity’s gold tally in wrestling.

With the gold medal eluding Panjab University and Jain University, Bengaluru, today they retained second and third positions, respectively. While Panjab University have 26 medals, including eight gold and 11 silver, Jain University has so far won eight gold, six silver and two bronze medals.

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and the University of Mumbai complete the top five.

Mahesh, Manoja impress

Mahesh Asawale, who won the All-India Inter-University Championships in Mohali last December with a total lift of 258kg, showed an improvement as he lifted 123kg in snatch and 143kg in clean & jerk for a total of 266kg.

Having returned to the sport in September last year after a year-long suspension following a dope rule violation, Asawale celebrated in style.

Juturi Koteswara Rao of Krishna University (243kg) and Mithlesh Sonkar of Hemchand Yadav University (238kg) won the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Manoja Kumar Sahu of Berhampur University, who won a silver medal in the Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati last month, improved his performance to win the gold medal. Sahu lifted a total of 267kg as compared to 264kg in the Youth Games, to claim the gold ahead of Panjab University’s Manish Kumar and Lovepreet Singh from Punjabi University.

Judoka Kuldeep triumphs

Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior, opened their account with Kuldeep Singh winning a gold medal in the 90kg judo competition. Gujarat University also made it to the list of universities with gold when Samir Pathan emerged winner in the men’s 81kg class. They joined 30 other universities with at least one gold medal.

Hosts beat PU in rugby

With India women’s rugby captain Vahbiz Bharucha donning the mantle of the on-field medic, hosts Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, backed by a goodly crowd, sailed into the semifinals in both men’s and women’s categories. The hosts beat Panjab University 19-5 in the men’s contest and drubbed Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari University, Jalgaon, 55-0 in the women’s competition. Chandigarh University boys also won their match.

Final results

Judo Men 81kg 1. Samir Pathan (Gujarat University) bt Divyanshu Puri (University of Rajasthan) 90kg Kuldeep Singh (Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education) bt Sadashiv Salunke (Pune University) Women 63kg Inunganbi Takhellambam (Manipur University) bt A Akhila (Mahatma Gandhi University) 70kg Ritu (MDU) bt Arti Khatri (Delhi University)

Weightlifting Men 67kg 1. Mahesh Datta Asawale (Pune University)

2. Juturi Koteswara Rao (Krishna University) 3. Mithlesh Sonkar (Hemchand Yadav University) 73kg 11. Manoja Kumar Sahu (Berhampur University) 2. Manish Kumar (PU) 3. Lovepreet Singh (Punjabi University) Women 59kg 1. Yumnan Khomdonbi Chanu (LPU) 2. Sneha (MDU) 3. Vennala Dhanalaxmi (Acharya Nagarjuna University) 64kg 1. Prajkta Ravindra Khalkar (Pune University)

2. Shivani Sanjay More (University of Mumbai)

3. Komal Khan (CCSU)

Wrestling Men Freestyle 57kg 1. Jyotiba Bajrang Atkale (Pune University) 2. Pradeep (Desh Bhagat University) 3. Govind Baban Kapate (Amravati University) 70kg 1. Vishal (MDU) 2. Sanjeet

(Dr. BR Ambedkar University) 3. Aftab Alam (Jamia Millia Islamia) 79kg 1. Rahul Rathi (Raj Rishi Bhartrihari Matsya University)

2. Yudhveer (Dr. BR Ambedkar University) 3. Sahil (Punjabi University) 92kg 1. Ajay (MDU) 2. Krishan (Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University) 3. Gurmanvir Singh Shera (Sant Baba Bhag Singh University) Greco-Roman 63kg Honey Pal (Sant Baba Bhag Singh University) bt Pankaj Mahadev Pawar (Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University) Women 55kg 1. Rani (LPU) 2. Jeevika (Guru Jambheshwar University) 3. Mansi (Chaudhary Ranbir Singh University) 65kg 1. Shafali (MDU) 2. Preeti (Guru Jambheshwar University) 3. Bhateri (Chaudhary Bansi Lal University)