Rakhi halder

Khelo India Asmita Women National: For Rajyashree, weightlifting is more than just a sport — it's a family affair. Moments after almost securing gold in the women’s 58kg category at her first Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025, missing by only two kilograms, she was quickly embraced by her mother and coach, Rakhi Halder, a six-time international medallist.

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.

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.