KIIT University students delivered a historic performance at the World University Games 2025 in Germany, winning five medals in a single day—three Silver and two Bronze—to lift India’s overall tally to 12 and secure 20th place in the final standings. This achievement made KIIT the highest-medalling university at the event.
Medal Winners-
Ankita: Silver in the 3000 m Steeplechase-
Praveen Chithravel: Silver in the Triple Jump
Seema: Silver in the 5000 m Final
Men’s 4×100 m Relay Team (Manikanta Hoblidhar, Animesh Kujur, Lalu Prasad Bhoi, Mrutyam Jayaram Dondapati): Bronze
Women’s 20 km Race Walk Team (Munitap Rajapati, Mansi Negi, Sejal Anilsingh): Bronze
A total of 42 athletes from Odisha—40 of them representing KIIT—featured in India’s contingent, underscoring the state’s growing contribution to university-level sport.
Prof. (Dr.) Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT, KISS and KIMS, praised the students’ “quiet dedication and teamwork” and extended his “heartfelt thanks” to the Odisha Sports Department, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, for their unwavering support. He also conveyed “special gratitude” to the Hon’ble Prime Minister for his encouragement of sports development.
In a further acknowledgment of the university’s internal support structures, Prof. Samanta singled out Dr. Gaganendu Das and the entire KIIT & KISS Sports Department team for their “untiring efforts” in preparing the athletes.
“This day is more than a medal count,” Prof. Samanta commented. “It is proof that when talent is nurtured with care, faith, and hard work, our young minds can shine on the world stage.”