8 months ago
Rejiya Devi Wins KIUG 3km Pursuit Gold
Rejiya Devi, a cyclist from Manipur, won the gold medal in the women's 3km Pursuit at the Khelo India University Games 2025 in Jaipur.
She overcame many challenges, including people telling her to quit and facing difficulties at home.
Rejiya started cycling in 2019 after playing Sepak Takraw.
She worked hard, lost weight, and improved her skills.
Her victory was special because she beat Meenakshi Rohilla, who is one of the best cyclists in the country.
Rejiya's hard work and determination paid off, and she proved everyone wrong.
Rejiya Devi won the women's 3km Pursuit gold at KIUG 2025 in Jaipur.
She overcame early criticism and personal struggles to succeed in cycling.
Rejiya switched from Sepak Takraw to cycling in 2019.
Her breakthrough came at the 2021 Senior Nationals where she won bronze.
She defeated Meenakshi Rohilla, one of India's top cyclists, in the final.
- Who
- Khoirom Rejiya Devi, a cyclist representing KIIT
- What
- Won the women's 3km Pursuit gold at KIUG 2025
- Where
- Sawai Man Singh Stadium Cycling Velodrome, Jaipur
- When
- During the Khelo India University Games 2025
- Why
- To prove herself and overcome past negativity
Key facts
- Athlete
- Khoirom Rejiya Devi
- Event
- Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025
- Discipline
- Women's 3km Pursuit
- Venue
- Sawai Man Singh Stadium Cycling Velodrome, Jaipur
- Opponent
- Meenakshi Rohilla
- Background
- Fisherman's daughter from Phubala village, Manipur
- Previous Sport
- Sepak Takraw
- Breakthrough Year
- 2021 (Bronze at Senior Nationals)
Quotes
Khoirom Rejiya Devi
A 23-year-old cyclist from Manipur, representing KIIT at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025.
“Meenakshi is a champion athlete. She doesn’t like losing, and neither do I. I have faced so much neglect in my life that now I am always hungry for achievement. With this victory, I have answered myself and all those people who once said I couldn’t do it. There is no athlete better than her (Meenakshi) in the 3km pursuit, so defeating her is a special achievement for me.”
thestatesman.com
“From 2019, on the track, even at home, I faced so much mental stress that now every race feels like a challenge. And that is why I never think about who is in front of me. I have only one goal, to make myself the best cyclist in the country.”
thestatesman.com
Meenakshi Rohilla
A top cyclist and competitor at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025.
“Rejiya is one of the strongest cyclists from our team. We train together at NSNIS Patiala. I am happy that she won. Although there is some pain in my heart that I lost in my favourite event, I wholeheartedly congratulate her on her victory.”
thestatesman.com
