National Games 2025
By Anukriti Srivastava
DEHRADUN, 2 Feb: The 38th National Games 2025 in Uttarakhand continued with high-energy performances on Day 5, as top athletes showcased their skills in shooting, squash, kabaddi, swimming, and basketball. The day was filled with intense competition, record–breaking performances, and impressive victories across various events.
In shooting, veteran shooter Rahi Sarnobat from Maharashtra demonstrated her experience and composure to clinch the gold medal in the women’s 25m pistol event, overcoming a strong challenge from Simranpreet Kaur of Punjab, who took home the silver. Divya T S from Karnataka secured the bronze medal in this event. Meanwhile, in the women’s 3 Positions rifle event, Ashi Chouksey of Madhya Pradesh amazed everyone by scoring an outstanding 598 out of 600 in the qualification round. This score surpassed the current world record of 596, but it won’t be officially recognized as it was achieved in a national competition. Sift Kaur Samra finished second with a score of 592, qualifying for the final.
In the kabaddi finals, Uttar Pradesh claimed their second National Games gold in three years, defeating Chandigarh 57-43 in an electrifying, high-scoring men’s match. Arjun Deshwal was the standout performer, leading his team to victory with an incredible display. Chandigarh had to settle for silver, while Haryana and Services shared the bronze medal. The women’s kabaddi final saw Himachal Pradesh emerge victorious in a closely contested match against Haryana, winning 27-22 to take the gold medal. Haryana finished second with silver, while Maharashtra and Rajasthan earned the bronze medal.
Swimming events showcased outstanding performances, with multiple record–breaking finishes and tight contests. Nina Venkatesh of Karnataka won the women’s 50m butterfly gold medal, edging out her teammate Dhinidhi Desinghu, who took silver, while Rutuja Rajadnya from Maharashtra claimed the bronze. Bhavya Sachdeva of Delhi dominated the 1500m freestyle.
The Tamil Nadu men’s squash team showcased an impressive performance, defeating Maharashtra 2-0 in the final of the team event. Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar played pivotal roles in securing the victory, allowing Tamil Nadu to claim the top spot on the podium, while Madhya Pradesh and Services took home the bronze medals. In the women’s squash team event, Maharashtra narrowly defeated Tamil Nadu 2-1 in an exciting final. Rathika Seelan was the sole player from Tamil Nadu to win a match, but Maharashtra proved to be the stronger team overall. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan earned the bronze medals after hard-fought semifinal matches.
In basketball, the Tamil Nadu women’s team delivered a commanding performance against Kerala, winning 79-46 and securing the gold medal. Kerala, despite their best efforts, had to settle for silver, while Karnataka took home the bronze after a close victory over Punjab in the third-place playoff, completing a clean sweep for South India on the podium.
Day 5 of the National Games 2025 was packed with record–breaking achievements, exciting competitions, and outstanding performances. Athletes from Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Delhi stood out across various sports. With many events still to unfold, the competition remains intense as teams and athletes strive for the top honors in India’s largest sporting event.
