Nived Krishna, Adithya Aji win Malayala Manorama Gold Medal at 2025 Kerala School Sports Meet

Thiruvananthapuram: The Expert Committee that selected J Nived Krishna and Adithya Aji as winners of the Malayala Manorama Gold Medal for the best athletes at the Kerala State School Sports Meet 2025 observed that both athletes possess the talent and potential to become international performers if trained professionally.

The winners were chosen by a committee comprising Padmini Thomas, a former international athlete, Arjuna Award winner, and former president of the Kerala Sports Council; Neena Pinto, Asian Games silver medallist; and Dr Jimmy Joseph, secretary of the School Athletic Competition and physical education teacher at Assumption College, Changanassery. The committee based its decision on the athletes’ performances at the meet and their World Athletics Ranking derived from those results.

Nived Krishna, a Plus Two student of GHSS Chittur, Palakkad, clinched the 100 metres title in the senior boys’ category with a time of 10.79 seconds. He went on to set a new record in the 200 metres, clocking 21.67 seconds to secure another gold.

The committee noted that Nived, who has risen to prominence through disciplined, balanced training without overexertion, shows great promise in track events. He is the son of Jyothi Prakash and Lissie of Rakhad Nivas, Palakkad.

The panel had also considered the outstanding performances of T M Athul, who set new records while winning gold in both the 100-metre and 200-metre junior boys’ events, and C K Fazalul Haq, who won gold with a record in the 110-metre hurdles.

Adithya Aji, a Plus Two student of Navamukunda HSS, Thirunavaya, bagged gold in the 100 metres (12.11 seconds) and 200 metres (24.75 seconds) in the senior girls’ category. She also claimed gold in the 100-metre hurdles, finishing in 14.06 seconds, and was part of the Malappuram district relay team that won the 4x100-metre relay.

The Expert Committee observed that Adithya demonstrated all the qualities of a future athletic champion. She is the daughter of K R Ajimon and Soumya of Kochuhotahil House, Ponkunnam, Kottayam.

The committee had also reviewed the impressive performance of Nivedya Kaladhar, who achieved a remarkable triple by winning the 400m, 800m and 1500m events in the junior girls’ category.