Nagaraj venkatesha

Khelo India University Games: After Nagaraj Venkatesha’s father passed away in 2017, the middle-distance runner has been doubling up as one of the bread-earners of the family while trying to keep his athletics career on track.

The Hubli resident has been doing a commendable job and bagged a 3000m steeplechase gold at the 4th Khelo India University Games 2023, Ashtalakshmi, with a dominant performance in Guwahati.

“This was my first gold at the Khelo India University Games, and it comes as a big morale booster for me. I have worked hard on my endurance and fitness, and this medal is an outcome of the hard work. But for me, this is just the start, there’s a lot to achieve. The KIUG has given me the wings to fly higher,” said Nagaraj, who stopped the clock at 9:38.58s to top the podium here for Karnataka University.