Khoirom Rejiya Devi Wins 3km Pursuit At KIUG 2025, Surpassing Critics And Rivals

Manipuri cyclist Khoirom Rejiya Devi produced one of the standout stories of KIUG 2025, defeating favourite Meenakshi Rohilla in the women's 3km Pursuit in Jaipur, despite once being told "this sport is not

for you" by people at home and some coaches when starting cycling in 2019.

The 23-year-old, representing Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology at the Khelo India University Games Rajasthan 2025, claimed gold at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium Cycling Velodrome. The win ended Meenakshi's bid to sweep all five available gold medals in cycling at the Games and confirmed Rejiya's rise among India's top pursuit riders.

Before turning to KIUG 2025 cycling, Rejiya spent four years in Manipur's Sepak Takraw setup from 2014 to 2018. Despite early promise, selections dried up, and it became evident there was little scope for progress. A friend then suggested cycling in 2019, pointing out her natural speed as a runner.

The decision to switch sports did not instantly change fortunes. "My father, in a drunken state, used to taunt me; people mocked me. There was a time when I cried every day. But then, in 2019, a friend said try cycling, because you run very fast," she said, recalling that difficult phase.

Once Rejiya entered competitive KIUG 2025 cycling pathways, progress was halted by the COVID-19 outbreak soon after competing at the 2020 Khelo India Youth Games. With household conditions worsening in Phubala village, Bishnupur district, training became harder, yet she continued working on fitness to keep long-term ambitions intact.

When domestic events resumed, Rejiya travelled to Delhi for national trials, hoping for a breakthrough. Instead, selectors dismissed her prospects with familiar criticism: "You lack exposure; your timing is not good for the senior level. " This rejection, however, marked a turning point as the cyclist refused to walk away from the sport.

KIUG 2025 cycling: Fitness transformation, national camp and Asian medal

Determined to answer doubts in KIUG 2025 cycling and beyond, Rejiya returned home and reshaped training. She started daily morning runs, shed ten kilos, and shifted focus from sprint events to endurance. The change soon brought results at national level, where sustained performances pushed her into serious contention.

Her breakthrough came at the 2021 Senior Nationals in Jaipur, where a bronze medal secured a place at the National Camp in Patiala. From that moment, progress accelerated. In 2022, Rejiya joined the Indian women's Team Pursuit squad that claimed a historic bronze at the Asian Cycling Championships, boosting her profile.

Year	Event	Discipline	Result
2020	Khelo India Youth Games	Cycling	Participation
2021	Senior Nationals, Jaipur	Track cycling	Bronze medal
2022	Asian Cycling Championships	Team Pursuit	Bronze medal
2024	Domestic season	Pursuit events	Among India's top racers
2024	Asmita League	Cycling	Winner
2025	KIUG Rajasthan 2025	Women's 3km Pursuit	Gold medal

KIUG 2025 cycling: Tactics, rivalry and respect with Meenakshi Rohilla

By 2024, selectors and coaches widely regarded Rejiya as one of India's leading pursuit cyclists, though Meenakshi remained the benchmark in the 3km event. KIUG 2025 cycling in Jaipur finally brought the two head-to-head, with Meenakshi targeting five gold medals and entering the race as the clear favourite.

Rejiya described the strategy used against the seasoned rival. "To beat Meenakshi, you need intelligence, strength and strategy-all three. I knew she had been racing continuously for the past five days. The moment I sensed her fatigue increasing, I picked up my pace," said Rejiya, who had won the Asmita League last year.

For Rejiya, the race held a deeper meaning beyond the gold. "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," Rejiya added.

Respect also flowed from the rival camp after the KIUG 2025 cycling final. Meenakshi, who finished the Games with four golds and one silver, embraced Rejiya, acknowledged the performance, and spoke candidly. "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. "

Reflecting on the path from family doubts to KIUG 2025 cycling glory, Rejiya pointed to the mental strain faced from the outset. "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," Rejiya told SAI Media, underlining the mindset that shaped the Jaipur triumph.