MOHIT KHARANGATE
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MARGAO: Hyderabad is not quite Paris, and All India Gymnastics Level-wise Championships is not the Olympics, but the gold medals that the Goan children won, brought as much pride to their parents as those of Manu Bhaker, who won two bronze medals in the Paris Olympics.
In a laudable achievement, a contingent of Goan kids won a rich haul of medals at the championships, at Hyderabad held recently.
The 25 kids underwent one-and-a-half years’ training and won 17 gold besides 17 silver and 21 bronze medals. The contingent of 25 kids were trained by Gymnastic Training Centre, Margao, headed by Pratap Dhire and Sheetal Dhire.
Coach Krishnandu Sarkar has won a national medal and done national coaching, trained the kids. “I have been training kids at the Gymnastic Training Centre, Margao, for two years.
Sarkar said “I have trained these 25 kids just for one to one-and-a-half years and they won 17 gold, 17 silver and 21 bronze medals at the All-India Gymnastics Championships at Hyderabad. We are proud of their achievements. We wish that they represent India and win medals for the country.”
Valkani Cardozo, who is studying in Class III, said, “I participated in the gymnastic competition. I won four silver medals and one certificate.”
Nora Albuquerque said, “I am a student of Gymnastic Training Centre, Margao. I went for the gymnastic competition at Hyderabad and I won four silver medals.”
Kavya Samant said, “I participated in the level wise competition at Hyderabad and won two silver medals and one bronze medal. I thank my coach and teachers who have taken pains to train me.”
Arhan Dodamani disclosed that he is 8 years old and has been taking coaching at Gymnastic Training Centre, Margao, since 2022. “I went to Hyderabad for the All-India Level-wise competition. I performed level three and won two silver medals. I thank my parents and coaches.”
Advika Mordekar won one gold and two silver medals at the championships.
Director of the Centre, Sheetal Dhere said, “I’m proud of our students. They have not only won gold, silver and bronze medals at all India competitions, but they are also good in studies.”
