C Juhitha Guna, a ninth-grade student from Lalacheruvu Municipal High School in Rajamahendravaram, won the gold medal in the 68th National School Games Federation Weightlifting Championship on Thursday in Imphal, Manipur, displaying exceptional power and perseverance. In the Under-17 division, Juhitha won first place, defeating Manipur’s Heikham Olympia and Tamil Nadu’s R Sandhya, who came in second and third, respectively. She took first place on the podium by lifting 168 kg, which included 75 kg in the snatch and 93 kg in the clean and jerk.

Her stellar record is further enhanced by her triumph. Juhitha won two gold medals in the sub-junior and junior divisions (71 kg weight class) in the Andhra Pradesh Inter-District Weightlifting Championship in Anakapalli last August and September. Additionally, in October 2024, she won a silver medal in the national weightlifting competition in Himachal Pradesh.

Juhitha attributed her accomplishment to her parents, Devi Prasad and Parvathi Varalakshmi, and her coach, Yalla Bhaskar Rao. Her father works for a private corporation, while her mother is employed with the Sachivalayam police department. Juhitha expressed her desire to compete for India in the World Youth Weightlifting Championship in the near future.

Her accomplishment is being proudly celebrated by the school community. Heartfelt congratulations were given by SMC Chairman Kandi Konda Ramesh, staff members, physical education instructor Venkateswara Rao, principal Ankam Malleswara Rao, and others. They conveyed their belief that Juhitha would keep doing well and represent the country with honour on a worldwide scale.