Manila, August 8: Indian aerobic gymnast Ariha Pangambam expressed that her historic gold medal at the Asian Aerobic Gymnastics Championship holds immense significance for her. This achievement comes after narrowly missing out on a medal in the previous edition, showcasing her determination to improve. Ariha revealed that she trained for nearly six hours daily in preparation for the competition.
She made history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in the senior women’s individual category at the Asian Championship. In the finals held in the Philippines, she scored 19.100 points, which included 8.650 in artistry, 7.600 in execution, and 2.850 in difficulty.
“I was completely overwhelmed at that moment. This medal means a lot to me because I truly wanted to win for not just myself but for my country,” Ariha stated.
Reflecting on her previous experience, she mentioned, “In the last Asian Championship, I finished fourth by just a few points. I felt a lot of regret. Therefore, I always thought that next time, I must win a medal. Beyond winning, as a performer, I wanted people, whether judges or the audience, to understand what I wanted to convey through my performance. I tried to bring that to the stage, and that’s how I earned this medal.”
The 19-year-old gymnast shared insights about her training regimen, saying, “I train almost six hours daily in morning and evening sessions. Moreover, I owe a lot to my coach and my parents because, without them, I wouldn’t have achieved so much.”
Her gold medal marks a significant milestone for Indian aerobic gymnastics, as it is the country’s first gold in this sport after ten editions of the continental competition.
Inderjeet Singh Rathore, head of the 50-member Indian delegation, hailed Ariha’s achievement as a major success for India. “This is a monumental achievement as it is the 10th Asian Championship. It has never happened in gymnastics that our national anthem has been played. We have won a gold medal. This is a significant accomplishment for us,” Rathore remarked.
He added, “This historic success can help raise awareness and participation in aerobic gymnastics. Compared to other sports, this discipline is not well-known in India. Now, we can expect significant improvements in gymnastics. It may not be a widely recognized sport, but when we achieve something like this, a gold medal and major accomplishments, more children and parents become interested in adopting the sport. Therefore, we see a bright future ahead.”
Rathore praised Ariha, stating, “We have been working on this for the past ten years. She has been competing from a very young age and has now reached the senior level. Her performance was outstanding, which is why she won the gold.”
India’s campaign at the championship also included a bronze medal in the senior aerobic step category.
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