Bhubaneswar: After successfully conducting the Junior Artistic Gymnastics National Championship, the Odisha government is geared up to host the Senior Artistic Gymnastics National Championships for 2023-24 at the Gymnastics Centre of Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The championship will be organised by the Sports and Youth Services Department under the aegis of the Odisha Gymnastics Association and the Gymnastics Federation of India from January 2 to 4.
As many as 300 participants from across the country will take part in the competition. Olympians Pranati Nayak and Dipa Karmakar as well as national gymnasts Yogeshwar Singh, Rakesh Patra, Tapan Mohanty, Saif Tamboli, Gaurav Kumar will display their skills.
Speaking ahead of the event, Ashok Mishra, Head Coach, Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre said, “We are excited to host the Senior National Championship. We will see a lot of national athletes like Dipa, Pranati Nayak, Yogeshwar Singh, Rakesh, Tapan, Gaurav and others.”
Dipa’s coach Bishweshwar Nandi said, “It feels great to be here, the venue and apparatus are of Olympic standards. Dipa is taking part in the National Championship after almost eight years. I couldn’t come to the Junior Nationals, but I would like to see the junior athletes compete against these senior athletes. I wish that the Gymnastics Centre here produces a strong contingent for the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics.”
Pranati, who trains at the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre, said, “I will be representing Indian Railways. I am excited that the Senior Gymnastics National Championship will be held at the same place where I train.”
