- Rajyashree and Rakhi will compete in the ASMITA League in different categories
- Rakhi Halder is a 2019 Commonwealth Championships gold medallist
- At the national level, Rajyashree shares a strong rivalry with international lifter Rima Bhoi
Bikaner, November 27: For Rajyashree, weightlifting is more than a sport — it is a family legacy. Moments after narrowly missing out on a gold medal in the women’s 58kg category by just two kilograms in her maiden appearance at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2025, she was warmly embraced by her mother and coach, Rakhi Halder, a six-time international medallist.
Remarkably, there is little time for celebration or rest. Barely two days after the competition in Bikaner, Rajyashree and her mother will return to the platform once again, competing at the ongoing ASMITA Weightlifting League in Kolkata on November 28. Witnessing a mother–daughter duo compete in the same league is a rare and special sight in Indian weightlifting.
A second-year Bachelor of Arts student at Adamas University, Rajyashree took up weightlifting six years ago. She has often found herself finishing outside the top three at major competitions, making near-misses a familiar part of her journey. On Wednesday, she once again fell just short, losing the gold to Odisha-born international lifter Rima Bhoi of Lovely Professional University by two kilograms. The silver, she said, would inspire her to improve further.
The rivalry between Rima and Rajyashree is not new. Both finished first and second respectively in the 59kg women’s category at the Khelo India Asmita Women National Zonal League 2024–25 held in Brahmapur, Odisha.
“This was my first Khelo India University Games, and it feels good to get a silver. There’s a reason—it’s because I have mostly finished fourth or fifth so far. So this silver is a special one. The last medal I won was a bronze at the All India Inter-University Championship,” Rajyashree said.
Rajyashree, who also competed in the Khelo India Youth Games in Tamil Nadu, had finished fourth there as well. Born to powerlifter C. Naveen Kumar, she is the elder of two sisters and trains at home in Kolkata under the guidance of her mother, Rakhi, the 2019 Commonwealth Championships gold medallist in the women’s 64kg category.
Growing up under the shadow of a decorated athlete brings its own challenges. Rajyashree admitted that the weight of expectations often plays on her mind during competitions.
“There is mental pressure when people recognize me and start counting my mother’s achievements. I hope to live up to those expectations,” the soft-spoken lifter said.
Even as her KIUG campaign concluded on Wednesday, Rajyashree has little time to pause. On Friday, the 19-year-old lifter will be back on the platform, competing in the women’s 58kg category at the ASMITA Weightlifting League, aiming to build on her momentum, with Rakhi cheering her on from the sidelines.
Later the same day, roles will reverse. Rajyashree will become the supporter as her mother steps onto the stage to compete in the women’s 69kg division, seeking yet another medal to add to her distinguished career.