Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir – The thrilling Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 (KIWSF 2025) wrapped up with spectacular performances at the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar, showcasing the spirit and talent of over 400 young athletes from 28 Indian states and Union Territories. Odisha emerged as the first runner-up, securing a total of 10 medals (4 Gold, 5 Silver, 1 Bronze), closely trailing overall champion Madhya Pradesh. This festival marks the second Khelo India event hosted in Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing the region’s rising prominence in sports.
The festival witnessed intense competitions across rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and demonstration water sports like shikara sprints, water skiing, and dragon boat racing. Over three days, the stunning waters of Dal Lake turned into an arena of grit, speed, and skill.
Match Highights:
Madhya Pradesh dominated the festival, topping the medal tally with a remarkable haul of 10 gold medals, highlighting their growing water sports prowess.
The host state Jammu & Kashmir celebrated as Mohsin Ali claimed the very first gold in men’s singles kayaking.
In canoeing events, Uttar Pradesh’s Vishal Kumar stood out with a gold in the canoe singles 1000m.
Odisha’s Outstanding Performance
Odisha carved a special niche at the festival by securing gold in the women’s 200m canoe singles event, further strengthening its reputation as a cradle of water sport champions.
Key Points:
The event included 24 medal events spanning rowing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Nearly equal representation of men and women athletes was a highlight.
All states delivered impressive performances, with Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, and Telangana making notable contributions.
The Khelo India Water Sports Festival is part of the national effort to discover and nurture grassroots sports talent across India.
The festival concluded amid great fanfare, promising a bright future for water sports enthusiasts in India and inspiring many young athletes to take the plunge into these exciting disciplines.
This edition of KIWSF not only pushed competitive limits but also created memories against the breathtaking backdrop of Dal Lake, fostering unity and sportsmanship.
The success of Khelo India Water Sports Festival 2025 is a testament to India’s growing aspirations and achievements in diverse sports beyond the mainstream.
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