Ashish Kumar, the only Indian gymnast to win Commonwealth Games and Asian Games medals, having introduced some new elements into his routines, is striving to perfect them to claim an Olympics berth in the World championships in Tokyo next month.
Ashish, who returned home after completing a two-month training stint in England, is now completely focused on the World championships. “I have got some new elements in floor exercise and vault. The challenge is to combine those with my routines and perfect them with regular practice,” Ashish said after receiving the Arjuna award from Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken at a special function here on Tuesday.
“It is easier to qualify for the Olympics through the World championships since there are more qualifying places on offer. The other event (in January) is difficult as only the gold medallists from that competition will make the cut,” he added.
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Under the guidance of foreign coach Vladimir Chertkov, Ashish and fellow gymnasts Alok Ranjan, Iqrar Hasan and Rakesh Patra had a fruitful training stint at Essex Sports Club, Basildon, in England. The gymnasts also participated in the Challenger Cup in Belgium.
“We were not expecting any medals from that event. It was only an exposure where we tested our new elements. Everybody performed well and whatever shortcomings we came across there we will try and rectify in the coming weeks,” he said.
The Allahabad-based gymnast said Indians needed more exposure trips in order to grow in confidence before major events. “The more you do it (in various international meets), the better you become,” he said.
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Discus thrower Vikas Gowda, the other sportsperson to receive the award on Tuesday, was proud of his seventh place finish in the recently-concluded World athletics championships in Daegu, Korea. “This was my best,” said Gowda.
As Vikas's father and coach Shive Gowda fondly recollected his six-foot-nine-inch tall son's growing up days and his transformation from a long jumper to a thrower, the US-based athlete, training at John Godina's World Throws Centre, said he was on the right track and was aiming at a mark exceeding 66m in the London Olympics.
Gowda has crossed the 64-m mark, including his season best of 64.05 in the Worlds, five times since May this year and hopes to keep up his good showing.