Sports

Rajashree Pednekar Creates History at Inter-College Powerlifting Championship


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji/Taleigao, January 2026: Rajashree Pednekar, a final-year MCom student of DCTโ€™s Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College, delivered a historic performance at the Inter-College Powerlifting Championship 2025โ€“26, organised by Goa University at its Silver Jubilee Hall, Taleigao, from January 14 to 16, 2026.



Competing in the 57 kg weight category, Rajashree not only secured the gold medal but also set a new championship record by lifting a combined total of 307 kg across the three powerlifting disciplines โ€” Squats, Bench Press and Deadlift.

Her exceptional performance continued to shine on the final day of the championship, where she was declared the โ€˜Strongest Woman of Goa Universityโ€™, emerging on top among 98 participants representing various colleges across Goa and competing in eight different weight categories.

The achievement was lauded by the Principal of S. S. Dempo College, Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kamat, who congratulated and felicitated Rajashree for her remarkable feat. He assured her of the institutionโ€™s full support in pursuing excellence in both academics and sports.

Rajashreeโ€™s success stands as a proud moment for S. S. Dempo College and serves as an inspiration for young sportspersons across the state.

EduConnect

St Xavierโ€™s College, Mapusa Crowned Champions of Goa University Inter-Collegiate Best Physique Championships 2025โ€“26


St Xavierโ€™s College, Mapusa, delivered a commanding performance to emerge overall champions at the Goa University Inter-Collegiate Best Physique (Men) Championships 2025โ€“26, organised by Goa University at Jubilee Hall, Taleigao.

V M Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, secured the runners-up position, while P G Goa University finished third in the overall standings.

The coveted โ€˜Goa University Shreeโ€™ 2025โ€“26 title was clinched by Guruprasad Ghadi of Dhempe College of Arts & Science, Miramar, following an impressive display across weight categories that stood out among competitors from colleges across the State.

The presentation ceremony was graced by Dr Sandesh Dessai, Librarian, Goa University, as the chief guest, along with Balachandra B Jadar, Assistant Director of Physical Education and Sports, Goa University, who presented trophies and medals to the winners.

Category-wise Results:

  • Up to 60 kg:
    Gold โ€“ Ashwet Pilankar (Goa College of Engineering)
    Silver โ€“ Saiesh Chopdekar (S S Dempo College, Cujira)
    Bronze โ€“ Prathamesh Gaonkar (Shree Rayeshwar Institute, Shiroda)
  • Up to 65 kg:
    Gold โ€“ Guruprasad Ghadi (Dhempe College, Miramar)
    Silver โ€“ Sameer Saingh (MES College, Zuarinagar)
    Bronze โ€“ Brendon Sawant (St Xavierโ€™s College, Mapusa)
  • Up to 70 kg:
    Gold โ€“ Anurag Parab (St Xavierโ€™s College, Mapusa)
    Silver โ€“ Shalil Arolkar (St Xavierโ€™s College, Mapusa)
    Bronze โ€“ Adil Bepari (S S Dempo College, Cujira)
  • Up to 75 kg:
    Gold โ€“ Mrunal Desai (P C C E College, Verna)
    Silver โ€“ Harshad Dhami (S S Dempo College, Cujira)
    Bronze โ€“ Rohit Gop (P G Goa University)
  • Up to 85 kg:
    Gold โ€“ Sanjeev Revodkar (P G Goa University)
    Silver โ€“ Vanshvardhan Mandrekar (V M Salgaocar College of Law)
    Bronze โ€“ Malcom Antao (Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda)
  • Above 85 kg:
    Gold โ€“ Marc Souza (V M Salgaocar College of Law)
    Silver โ€“ Britt Vales (Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda)
    Bronze โ€“ Rudraksha Kole (D Mโ€™s College, Assagao)

The championship highlighted the growing standard of fitness, discipline, and competitive bodybuilding across Goaโ€™s colleges, reinforcing the importance of university-level sports in nurturing talent.