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What’s the story?
Aruna Budda Reddy made the country proud by winning a bronze medal in vault at the ongoing Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne. This is also the first time that an Indian has won an individual medal at the Gymnastics World Cup.
In case you didn’t know...
Reddy always wanted to be a pro in karate but her coach felt that her body was flexible and not suited for the sport. That’s when he got Reddy into gymnastics.
Reddy could not make it to the national team for the 2010 Commonwealth Games as she was underage but then she took part in the 2014 CWG and now she is well on her way achieving success in the world of gymnastics.
The heart of the matter
The girl from Telangana scored 9.006 and 8.833 in her respective attempts. Reddy’s average of 13.649 for two vaults helped her bag the bronze medal at the 2018 Gymnastics World Cup. Reddy missed out on silver by just 0.05 points. Another Indian, Pranti Nayak finished sixth in the same discipline with a score of 13.416.
Tjasa Kysslef of Slovenia won gold with a score of 13.800 while the silver medal went to Australia's Emily Whitehead who scored 13.699.
What’s next?
Reddy will be part of India’s gymnastics contingent which will participate in the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. There will be high expectations from her to win a medal at the mega event.
Author’s take
There was a time when it was perceived that gymnastics aren’t made for the Indians but that idea is changing. Dipa Karmakar set the bar in the 2016 Rio Olympics when she narrowly missed bronze by finishing fourth and now gymnasts like Reddy are trying to make a name for themselves in this very sport.
A medal at the Gymnastics World Cup is a commendable achievement and this feat will only boost Reddy’s confidence for the events in future.
