Remarkably, there is little time for celebration or reflection. Just two days after the Bikaner competition, Rajyashree and her mother will return to the platform to compete in the ASMITA Weightlifting League in Kolkata on November 28. It's uncommon to see a mother and daughter competing in the same league.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rajyashree, a second-year Bachelor of Arts student at Adamas University, started weightlifting six years ago. Despite frequently finishing outside the top three at major competitions, she keeps pushing forward. Recently, she narrowly missed a medal again, finishing second to Odisha-born international Rima Bhoi of Lovely Professional University by just two kg. She acknowledged that winning silver would motivate her to improve even more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The rivalry between Rima and Rajyashree is not recent, as both secured a 1-2 finish in the 59kg women\u2019s category at the Khelo India Asmita Women National Zonal League-2024-25 in Brahmapur, Odisha.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis was my first Khelo India University Games, and it feels good to get a silver. There is a reason for that, I have mostly finished fourth, fifth so far, so this silver is a special one. The last medal that I won was a bronze in the All India Inter-University championship,\u201d Rajyashree said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rajyashree, who also competed in the Khelo India Youth Games in Tamil Nadu, finished fourth in her category there as well. She is the daughter of powerlifter C Naveen Kumar and has one younger sister. She trains at home in Kolkata under her mother Rakhi's guidance, who won gold at the 2019 Commonwealth Championships in the women\u2019s 64kg category.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Growing up with a decorated athlete in the family posed its own challenges. Rajyashree acknowledged that the pressure of expectations frequently weighs on her mind before competitions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThere is mental pressure of performance, when people find my identity, they will count my mother\u2019s achievements. I hope to live up to the expectations,\u201d the soft-spoken lifter said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Growing up with a decorated athlete in the family posed its own challenges. Rajyashree acknowledged that the pressure of expectations frequently weighs on her mind before competitions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Later that day, 19-year-old Rajyashree will switch from competitor to supporter as her mother competes in the women\u2019s 69kg weight category, aiming to add another medal to her distinguished career.<\/p>\r\n\r\n