Young Gymnasts Shine at Artistic Gymnastics National Championships in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Junior Artistic Gymnastics National Championships 2023-24 concluded on a high note, with the Gymnastics Centre in Kalinga Stadium witnessing a dazzling display of talent from budding gymnasts.

In the women’s category, Telangana’s Nishika Agarwal stole the spotlight with an extraordinary five-medal haul. Nishika’s stellar performance earned her Gold in Vault and Uneven Bars, Bronze in Balance Beams, Silver in Floor Exercise, and the coveted Gold in the All-around category. Expressing her joy, Nishika shared, “Winning medals in each category fills me with immense happiness. The organizers took care of everything, making this experience memorable, and performing at this exceptional venue was a dream come true.”

Odisha’s Biru Chandra Rao and Alok Kumar, both cadets of the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre, etched their names in the tournament’s success stories. Biru secured Bronze in the Floor Exercise, while Alok claimed Bronze in the all-around category for men. Oceana Renee Thomas from Tamil Nadu, training at the Gymnastics HPC in Odisha, showcased her prowess in the women’s category, clinching Gold in Balance Beams and Bronze in Floor Exercise.

Expressing their satisfaction with the successful outing, all three HPC medal winners acknowledged the support of the home crowd. Oceana emphasized, “While winning medals is gratifying, there are areas for improvement. I look forward to refining my skills and achieving more in future events.” Meanwhile, Biru conveyed, “Performing and winning a medal in front of my home crowd at the venue where I train is a delight. However, recognizing the need for improvement, I aim to implement these learnings in future events.” The championship not only celebrated the triumph of these young gymnasts but also showcased their aspirations for a promising future in the sport.