In a momentous display of athleticism and dedication, students from Lovely Professional University (LPU) have set new records at the 19th Asian Games-2023 held in Hangzhou, China. These young athletes have not only made their university proud but have also significantly contributed to India’s best-ever performance in the Asian Games, clinching a total of 12 medals, including 4 gold medals.
A staggering 40 LPU students had the privilege of representing India on this international stage. Among them, 20 outstanding individuals, including 9 members of the hockey team, played a pivotal role in securing medals for the country. In recognition of their exceptional performances, LPU awarded cash prizes totaling a remarkable Rs 1.14 Crores to all the participating athletes.
The spectrum of sporting excellence displayed by these talented students is truly awe-inspiring. They excelled in a wide range of sports, including athletics, archery, shooting, boxing, rowing, hockey, wrestling, and more. The LPU athletes who stood out as shining stars in their respective disciplines include Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, archers Prathmesh Samadhan and Abhishek Verma, shooter Arjun Singh Cheema, boxer Lovelina Borgohain, rower Sukhmeet Singh, and hockey players Manpreet Singh and Varun Kumar. The gold-winning Indian Hockey team, which included 9 LPU students, was captained by Harmanpreet Singh, with Hardik Singh serving as the Vice-Captain.
India’s exceptional medal haul at the Asian Games, resulting in a fourth-place finish in the overall medals tally, was significantly bolstered by the contributions of LPU students. In the field of archery, LPU students bagged an impressive 4 out of the 9 medals, including 2 gold medals.
These remarkable achievements by LPU athletes were part of India’s largest-ever contingent at the games, consisting of 655 members, with Lovlina Borgohain and Harmanpreet Singh leading the delegation.
The entire campus of Lovely Professional University buzzed with celebratory fervor as the champion athletes were welcomed with grand processions organized by LPU’s 250 schools and departments. The campus atmosphere exuded a strong sense of nationalism, reflecting the pride and enthusiasm of this academic institution for its accomplished athletes.
These young sports achievers are not resting on their laurels. Many of them have already qualified for the upcoming Olympic Games, and they are determined to win more medals and continue bringing glory to both their nation and their university.
LPU Chancellor and Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, congratulated and encouraged all the achievers. He urged them to maintain their winning spirit for the continuous glory of the nation and the university, assuring them of LPU’s unwavering support in their pursuit of excellence in various activities.
The list of honored sportspersons is extensive and diverse, reflecting LPU’s commitment to promoting athletic excellence across various disciplines. These accomplished athletes come from regular or distance education programs, including BA, MA, BCA, M.PEd, B.Sc, B.PEd, BPES, B.Ed, and even MA in Psychology and Public Administration.
Among the recognized athletes are members of the gold-winning hockey team, including Mandeep Singh, Samsher Singh, Gurjant Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, and Sukhjeet Singh. Additionally, Charanjit Singh won a silver medal in Coxed Eight Rowing, and Preeti Razak showcased her shooting skills. Archers Simranjeet Kaur and Mrinal, boxers Parveen Hooda, Preeti, Jasmine, Arundhati, and Sachin, rower Parminder, athlete Ankita, footballer Jyoti Chauhan, handball team members Shalini, Mitali, Bhavana, Priyanka, Nidhi, and Diksha, as well as rugby team members Sandhya, Shikha, and Sweta Sahi were also honored for their exceptional performances.
The achievements of these LPU athletes not only highlight their dedication and hard work but also underscore the role of universities in nurturing and promoting talent across various domains. With their exemplary performances, these young athletes have set a high bar for the future and continue to inspire aspiring sports enthusiasts nationwide. Lovely Professional University stands as a shining example of how education and sports can go hand in hand to create champions and make a meaningful impact on the world stage.
