Karnataka [India], April 30 (HornbillTV): When Preeti Gulia left for Bengaluru to represent Maharshi Dayanand University in the Khelo India University Games 2021, her farmer father's only plea to her was: "get a gold medal this time, beta."

So, when she defeated her nemesis Unnati Sharma of Lovely Professional University in the 63kg women's judo final on Friday, Preeti's joy knew no bounds. "My father asked me only of one thing. He said, go win the gold this time. It was these words that motivated me in the final."

In the previous edition of Khelo India University Games in KIIT, Odisha, Preeti had won a bronze medal in the same category. "Only 25 days ago, I had lost to Unnati in the All India University. I had lost to her in the Junior Nationals as well. So, winning against her here at the Khelo India University Games is very special for me."