Karnam Malleswari named the first Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Sports University
The Delhi government named former Olympic weightlifter Karnam Malleswari as the first Vice Chancellor of Delhi Sports University on Tuesday.
“The Lt Governor, who is also the Chancellor of Delhi Sports University, is proud of having the Padmashri awardee as the university’s first Vice Chancellor,” said an official order.
Malleswari is the first woman weightlifter from India to win an Olympic medal.
She is from the Andhra Pradesh district of Srikakulam and won bronze for India in weightlifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Malleswari is currently employed by the FCI.
At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, she made history by lifting 110 kilogrammes and 130 kilogrammes in the’snatch’ and ‘clean and jerk’ categories, respectively.
The Delhi Assembly passed a bill in 2019 to establish a Delhi Sports University (DSU), which will offer graduation, post-graduate, and doctorate degrees in sports such as cricket, football, and hockey, among others.
In recognition of her efforts, the Indian government presented her with the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri Award in 1999.
She announced her retirement after competing in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.