 Fourteen-year-old Oceana Reena Thomas created history at the Junior Artistic Gymnastics National Championships in December 2023 when she became Tamil Nadu’s first-ever junior national gold medallist at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.Now, Oceana will carry the state’s medal hopes in the gymnastics arena at the 6th Khelo India Youth Games 2023. And though repeating her last month’s feat in front of her home crowd is her priority, the class 10th student is already looking at the Khelo India platform as a stepping stone for much higher dreams.“I am hoping that the platform, the training and the cash prizes, if I win any, can be put into further training for realising the Olympic dream,” says Oceana, who dropped out of regular schooling to focus on her training and moved to the High-Performance Centre at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.Training under coaches Ashok Mishra and Amany Gouda from Egypt, her day begins with training session at 6 am and ends with another session from 3.30-7 with recovery sessions in between.Asked about the challenges of staying away from her family, which is based in Chennai, the teenager said that was a price she has to pay in pursuit of higher glory. The gold medal winning performance on the Balance Beam in the Nationals did prove that she is on the right track.Reflecting on the win, the 14-year-old said, “It was quite unexpected. But I am happy to have won it since I missed out on the sub-junior championship.”Speaking about her initiation into gymnastics, Oceana said she was naturally inclined towards sports right from childhood as her mother Nisha is a former sprinter who represented Tamil Nadu during her school days and her elder sister Savanna is into competitive horse riding.“Initially, it was cartwheeling, then ballet and finally, it led to gymnastics,” she added.Speaking about her targets for the Khelo India Games 2023, Oceana said she was excited but also nervous as she would be performing on a much bigger platform and competing against more experienced opponents. “But I am determined to give my best and win medals for the state,” she said.–IANShs/){kind=link}
Chennai, Jan 19 (IANS) Fourteen-year-old Oceana Reena Thomas created historical past on the Junior Creative Gymnastics Nationwide Championships in December 2023 when she grew to become Tamil Nadu’s first-ever junior nationwide gold medallist at Bhubaneshwar, Odisha.
Now, Oceana will carry the state’s medal hopes within the gymnastics area on the sixth Khelo India Youth Video games 2023. And although repeating her final month’s feat in entrance of her house crowd is her precedence, the category tenth pupil is already trying on the Khelo India platform as a stepping stone for a lot larger goals.
“I’m hoping that the platform, the coaching and the money prizes, if I win any, may be put into additional coaching for realising the Olympic dream,” says Oceana, who dropped out of standard education to concentrate on her coaching and moved to the Excessive-Efficiency Centre on the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar.
Coaching beneath coaches Ashok Mishra and Amany Gouda from Egypt, her day begins with coaching session at 6 am and ends with one other session from 3.30-7 with restoration periods in between.
Requested in regards to the challenges of staying away from her household, which relies in Chennai, {the teenager} stated that was a value she has to pay in pursuit of upper glory. The gold medal profitable efficiency on the Stability Beam within the Nationals did show that she is heading in the right direction.
Reflecting on the win, the 14-year-old stated, “It was fairly surprising. However I’m completely happy to have gained it since I missed out on the sub-junior championship.”
Talking about her initiation into gymnastics, Oceana stated she was naturally inclined in direction of sports activities proper from childhood as her mom Nisha is a former sprinter who represented Tamil Nadu throughout her college days and her elder sister Savanna is into aggressive horse using.
“Initially, it was cartwheeling, then ballet and at last, it led to gymnastics,” she added.
Talking about her targets for the Khelo India Video games 2023, Oceana stated she was excited but additionally nervous as she can be acting on a a lot greater platform and competing in opposition to extra skilled opponents. “However I’m decided to offer my finest and win medals for the state,” she stated.
–IANS
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