Global Indianstory Indian archerTake a bow: India’s young sports stars are breaking records across the globe

Take a bow: India’s young sports stars are breaking records across the globe

Written by: Darshana Ramdev

(April 12, 2022) The youngest para-swimmer to swim the Palk Strait is also the fastest. She was diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum and asked to try water sports as a form of therapy. With unparalleled courage and grit, Jiya Rai is now a world record holder. There’s also Neeraj Chauhan, the teenage archer who will make his world cup debut this year. During the pandemic, Neeraj, his brother and father, sold vegetables on a pushcart in their hometown, Meerut, to make ends meet. People who spotted the two young lads in their sports jerseys posted videos online… and the rest was history. India’s young sports stars have battled seemingly insurmountable odds, along with a lack of infrastructure and financial support, to create history, not just in the country but across the world. These are stories not just of sporting achievement and skill but of courage, determination and hope.

Jiya Rai, para swimmer

Jiya Rai

She clocked 28.5 kilometres in 13 hours. Thirteen-year-old para swimmer Jiya Rai is not just the youngest to swim across the Palk Strait, she is also the fastest. On March 221, 2022, Jiya, who is on the autistic spectrum, set off from Sri Lanka’s Thalamannar. Thirteen hours later, she arrived at Dhanushkodi in Tamil Nadu, where a large gathering, led by director-general of Police, C. Sylendra Babu, awaited her.

Completely sunburned and exhausted, but elated, Jiya posed with the Indian tricolour, flanked by two Navy officers holding up a banner bearing a message of congratulations from the Indian Navy. Jiya is the daughter of master chief of arms of INS Kunjali and beat the previous record holder by a whopping 52 minutes.

Jiya was diagnosed with autism when she was a little over two years old. It was her doctor who suggested water sports as a form of therapy. She took to it, as the cliche goes, like a fish to water.

Tamil Nadu | 13-year-old autistic girl, Jiya Rai swam from Sri Lanka’s Thalaimannar to Arichalmunai’s Dhanushkodi in 13 hours on Sunday

She was received by a large gathering at the Indian shore led by DGP C Sylendra Babu pic.twitter.com/G38wbPwMaB

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2022

The Lankan Navy provided the search and rescue cover to Jiya as she swam through Lankan waters, while the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard awaited the young star as she swam into Indian waters. She is also the youngest (and first autistic) girl to swim from Worli sea link to Gateway of India, a distance of 36 kilometres, in February 2021. In 2022, she received the Bal Puraskar award and is the world record holder open water swimming. Jiya hopes to be the first and youngest para swimmer in the world to swim the seven seas.

Lakshya Sen, badminton champ

Lakshya Sen was 16-years-old when he became a sensation in the badminton scene, playing his first international championship and reaching the quarterfinals of the Vietnam and Belgian Opens. In 2019, at the age of 18, he bagged four major international titles – the Belgian, Dutch, Saarlox and Scottish Opens. Two years later, he proved himself to be dynamite on the court once more, playing nine tournaments in a row and bagging the bronze at the World Championship in December. His game has only grown stronger since.

In 2022, he won the India Open, reached the finals of the German Open and was runner-up at the All-England Badminton Championship. The latter brought him widespread recognition and praise. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in congratulating the young star, tweeting, “Proud of you, Lakshya Sen! You’ve shown remarkable grit and tenacity…,” Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi said he was “second to none,” and Mahindra Group chairperson Anand Mahindra called him a “prince who will be crowned sooner or later.”

Proud of you @lakshya_sen! You’ve shown remarkable grit and tenacity. You put up a spirited fight. Best wishes for your future endeavours. I am confident you will keep scaling new heights of success.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 20, 2022

He’s currently at the Korea Open Super 500 Badminton Tournament in Suncheon, South Korean. He has already surpassed local favourite Choi Ji Hoon, defeating him in just over an hour in the opening round match.

Follow Lakshya on Twitter and Instagram

Ridhi Phor, archer

Ridhi’s coaching began when she was eight-years-old and her father was her first teacher. Today, at age 16, she has a separate room in her house just for her trophies and medals. And every success is celebrated by her doting family.

Ridhi Phor

Calling archery a lonely sport, as it is just the individual out there with their thoughts, Ridhi has worked diligently on her focus – she admits to speaking to herself a lot, and honing a positive mindset.

She was 14 when she participated in her first international competition, which was stage two of the Asia Cup in Manila in 2018. She brought home the bronze as a member of the women’s recurve and mixed recurve team. In the individual category, she finished seventh out of 30 contestants, the top Indian archer in her category. She bagged a silver at the Asia Cup in Taipei.

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Neeraj Chauhan, archer

In March 2022, archer Neeraj Chauhan finished in the top three at the Asian Games selection trials in Sonepat. Now a part of the national squad, he is all set for his world cup debut this month, and is part of the team heading to the Hangzhou Games in September. And the 19-year-old archer’s story is nothing short of remarkable.

Neeraj Chauhan

Two years ago, his father, Akshaylal, who had spent the past three decades as a cook at Meerut’s Kailash Prakash Stadium, lost his job when the pandemic struck. His two sons – Neeraj and Sunil, both athletes – suddenly found they had to help the family make ends meet. They dropped their training and started helping their father sell vegetables on a push cart. In earlier interviews, Neeraj had revealed that he spent the Covid 19 lockdown selling vegetables with his family. Any free time he had was spent training at home with an indoor target, though he didn’t think he would get back to competitive archery again.

Life, however, did show him kindness. The two boys, who wore their respective jerseys as they sold vegetables, attracted public attention. People took videos and posted them on social media and before long, the press had arrived at their doorstep. Word of Neeraj’s plight eventually reached then union sports minister Kiren Rijiju. The ministry of youth affairs and sports responded promptly and both brothers were offered INR 5 lakh each, under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay national welfare scheme. And that’s how Neeraj bought his first proper bow.

I’m happy to announce that Sports Ministry has sanctioned Rs 5 lakh each for UP archer Neeraj Chauhan and boxer Sunil Chauhan under the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Fund. The athletes had a acute financial crisis because their father lost his livelihood during the pandemic. pic.twitter.com/b8XnxoyHHU

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) October 6, 2020

Sonam Malik, Olympic wrestler

Sleep deprived and exhausted, Sonam Malik arrived at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in 2021 with only one thing on her mind – the upcoming weigh-in. For the then 18-year-old from Sonipat, Haryana, not overshooting the 62-kilo mark was the only priority. The qualifiers were held at Kazakhstan and Sonam proved herself a star, narrowly winning her third bout after a superb comeback that secured her place in the Tokyo Olympics. She was the youngest Indian woman wrestler to qualify.

By this time, she had already won a gold at the National Games (2016). The following year, she bagged the silver at the Cadet National Championship, a gold in the World School Games and another gold at the Cadet World Wrestling Championship, all in 2017. In 2019, she won another gold at the same event.

At Tokyo 2020, she lost in the opening round. Disappointed, and a lesson learnt, she threw herself into training with added zeal. She set her sights on the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games but after a knee injury that happened at the semifinal bout in Tokyo, she has been forced to withdraw from the trials this year.

Time for me to get back in the Game #Wrestling @FederationWrest
.
Stronger ..💪
.
Faster .. 🤼‍♂️
.
Together .. 🇮🇳
.
and aim HIGHER .. 🎯
.#Olympic #Olympism #Stronger #Faster #Higher – #Together @Olympics @WeAreTeamIndia @Media_SAI pic.twitter.com/QpDBbuV1SH

— Sonam Malik (OLY) 🇮🇳 (@OLYSonam) November 23, 2021

Follow Sonam on Twitter

Sahith Theegala

Sahith Theegala

The pandemic nearly cut golfer Sahith Theegala’s glowing collegiate career year short, when he returned home during his senior year at Pepperdine. Although the season ended early, Sahith’s team ranked first in the nation. In 2020, he won the Haskins Award, the Ben Hogan Award and the Jack Nicklaus Award, becoming the fifth person ever to win all three awards in the same year. In June 2020, Theegala made his professional debut – in a rather unusual place. The Outlaw Tour might not have been what the collegiate golfing star had imagined but his stellar performance saved the day. Theegala’s e-under-par 62 gave him a share of the lead in round one, along with Andrew Funk at the Lone Tree Classic in Chandler, Arizona.

The 24-year-old PGA Tour rookie participated in the Genesis Invitational in February 2022, losing out to Scottie Scheffler at the very last moment. Tied for lead standing on the tee of the 17th hole, a poor chip led to a bogey and he conceded to Scheffler. Still, the PGA tour rookie came very close to displacing the stars. What’s more, he won many hearts after the game when he teared up, according to Golf Digest, with his “dad repeatedly telling him, ‘It’s OK’ as his son sobs on his mother’s shoulder.

An emotional @SRTheegala is consoled by mom and dad after coming up 1 shot short of a playoff @WMPhoenixOpen.

The 24-year-old earned countless new fans this week. pic.twitter.com/tq5Q2YsFCy

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022

In the current season, he made nine cuts in eleven starts. At the Sanderson Farms Championship, he was either leading or tied for the lead after each of the first three rounds, according to Golf Digest. He ultimately finished T-8.

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Published on 12, Apr 2022

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Scaling new heights: Meet young Indian mountaineers who are climbing their success peaks

(January 13, 2023) When mountaineer Avtar Singh Cheema first decided to be a part of the Indian Army mission to scale Mt Everest in 1965, many in his village came to see him off, thinking they wouldn't meet him again. He went on to become the first Indian to conquer the world's tallest mountain, inspiring many Indians to undertake challenging expeditions. However, the last few years have seen a steep rise in the number of young mountaineers who are not afraid to scale the heights of these ice monsters. Global Indian takes a look at some of these young mountaineers, who are flying the nation's tricolour very high - quite literally! Arjun Vajpai Snowed in for seventy-two hours at 7,000 metres, Arjun Vajpai lost sensation in the left side of his body. His Sherpas had long since abandoned the teenager – his first attempt to scale Mount Cho Oyu in Nepal in 2012 had resulted in catastrophe. Arjun is no ordinary kid, however, two years prior, in 2010, he had achieved the ultimate mountaineering feat – scaling Mount Everest – and becoming the youngest Indian ever to do so. In 2011, he became the youngest person to climb Lhotse and the

ount Everest – and becoming the youngest Indian ever to do so. In 2011, he became the youngest person to climb Lhotse and the youngest mountaineer to scale Mount Manaslu. No stranger to adversity, therefore, Arjun began the agonising descent from Mount Cho Oyu, crawling for 17 hours using only his right arm and leg.

[caption id="attachment_17559" align="aligncenter" width="582"] Arjun at the Kangchenjunga Base Camp, in 2018[/caption]

Today, the youngster holds the title of being the world’s youngest mountaineer to summit six out of the total 14 highest mountains in the world. Born to Col. Sanjeev Vajpai and Priya Vajpai in 1993, Arjun’s fascination for trekking and mountaineering goes back to his childhood. He started young and began training at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi. The mountaineer who loves exploring the routes of new peaks, however, doesn't feel are records are endgame. "It makes me feel super happy but I’m not someone who chases records. It’s a moment of pride, not just for me but for the country, to hold a title and each time motivates me to climb more and take India’s flag to some of the highest peaks on earth. I want to be the youngest in the world to do all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres," he shared during a press interaction.

Anvitha Reddy

The youngest daughter of a farmer from a small district of Telangana, Bhongir, Anvitha was always good at sports. She got to know about mountaineering while pursuing her graduation and was motivated by her physical education trainer to join a group training to climb Mt Kilimanjaro - the highest peak in the African continent. There was no looking back for this mountaineer after she conquered the African giant in January 2021. The same year, Avnitha scaled Mt Elbrus and Mt Khadey.

In 2022, Anvitha became the first Indian woman to reach the True Summit of Mount Manaslu - the world’s eighth-highest mountain (8,163 metres) - in Nepal. "I was ecstatic on reaching the top of the world, a moment I aspired for the last eight years had come true. It was this moment which kept me going despite enormous challenges," the mountaineer shared during a press interaction, adding, "I’ve planned to climb seven mountains in the seven continents in one-and-half years. Now that I’ve already climbed three, the next treks will begin in December."

Virat Chandra

When a five-year-old Virat first told his parents that he wanted to climb mountains, his parents thought that it was just one of those things kids say while growing up, and forget about the next day. But when Virat persisted, they had no choice but to introduce him to a local mountaineering trainer. Exactly two years later, Virat Chandra Telukunta became one of the youngest mountaineers to summit Mt Kilimanjaro in 2021. And just one year later, Virat won the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.

"I remember when we stepped out for the last leg of climbing Kilimanjaro, the visibility was very low. I was frightened because it was still dark and whistling winds with a snow downpour. With support from our guides, we could make it to the summit. It took almost eight hours to reach the summit," the mountaineer shares, adding, "I am very happy and proud that I was honoured by the Prime Minister of India. I have just started my mountaineering journey and there are many other peaks I want to scale."

Piyali Basak

A young primary school teacher from the small village of Chandernagore in West Bengal, Piyali Basak created history by becoming the first Indian to scale the highest mountain in the world, Mt Everest, without any supplemental oxygen in 2022. The mountaineer, who has been passionate about this adventure sport since she was a young girl, had attempted the record in 2019 as well, however, had to drop the plan due to bad weather conditions. But that is not where it ends. After conquering Everest, she climbed Mount Lhotse - the world's fourth-tallest mountain - in just two days. In 2021, the young mountaineer also climbed Mount Dhaulagiri in Nepal without oxygen supplementation.

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A post shared by Piyali Basak (@piyali.basak.90)

The mountaineer, who was inspired by legendary Tenzing Norgay, shared with the press, "I started my journey when I was just five. I could climb mountains easily without any support. I started going for treks at an early age and developed a passion for them. Mountaineering is my life and I will continue climbing new peaks, and making my country proud."

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Aditya Kousgi: From passionate photographer to rising star in the Indian motorsport scene

(December 24, 2023) Motorsport enthusiast Aditya Kousgi has an inherent spirit of sportsmanship that has held him in good stead behind the wheels. Starting as a photographer, Aditya Kousgi is now making his mark on the track as he makes strides in the arena of motorsports, after his tenure at Chetan Shivram Motorsport. Currently preparing for the Indian National Rally Championship, Aditya's aspirations include conquering the Asia Pacific Rally Championship and ultimately, the World Rally Championship. Early days Born in Bangalore, Kousgi’s educational journey took him on a whirlwind tour of various cities across India. This nomadic upbringing shaped his perspective and instilled in him the ability to adapt to diverse environments. “My formative years were marked by a deep love for sports, with football being my true passion. I was more at home on the sports field than in the classroom, and I proudly represented my school and college teams. But my enthusiasm extended beyond football; I excelled in tennis and hockey during my childhood. These early experiences instilled in me a strong sense of discipline, teamwork, and the competitive spirit.” As he grew older, a new passion began to emerge – photography which he decided to pursue by

– photography which he decided to pursue by enrolling in an undergraduate program at Symbiosis in Pune. This marked the start of a four-year stint as a professional photographer, which ran parallel to his college education.

Rally cues

The transition from photography to the world of rallying was an unexpected and thrilling journey that began during his tenure with Chetan Shivram Motorsport, a respected name in the motorsport industry, led by the visionary Chetan Shivram. “The pivotal moment arrived unexpectedly when Mr. Shivram generously allowed me to take the wheel of one of his rally cars during an event. The sheer exhilaration of being behind the wheel of a rally car was a revelation. It was in that electrifying moment that my love for rallying was firmly rooted, and the seeds of my future in motorsport were sown,” he says He took part in The Indian National Autocross Championship for the first time just for fun which was an unexpected decision but turned out to be a life-changing one. “To my astonishment, I qualified unexpectedly in that competition. Since that remarkable day, I haven't looked back and continued my career in the exhilarating world of rallying, determined to push my limits and chase my dreams on the racetrack,” he adds.

Shifting gears

Naturally the shift from photography to rallying was a thrilling journey that transformed his life in ways that he could have never imagined. “While I was busy capturing the excitement of rallying through my camera lens, my heart yearned to experience it from the driver's seat. This transition underscored the importance of pursuing one's passion relentlessly, even if it meant taking a leap of faith into the unknown. The change was exhilarating yet challenging. It required me to rewire my mindset, adapt to a new set of skills, and embrace the relentless pursuit of excellence. But the thrill of rallying, the camaraderie of the motorsport community, and the adrenaline-fueled competitions made every sacrifice worthwhile,” he explains. His journey in rallying has been made possible by the unwavering support of his parents, who have been his pillars of strength through multiple career transitions as well as Chetan Shivram, whose unwavering belief in his potential has been a constant source of inspiration.

Racing journey

In the early stages of his rallying career, "Snap Racing" was his trusted service team, ensuring that the cars were always prepared for the demanding challenges of rallying. Later he made the strategic move to "R-tech," a decision that further solidified his rallying career. R-tech's support in crafting dependable cars, promptly addressing technical issues, and optimizing performance has been invaluable. “My navigator, Deeksha Balakrishna, has played an essential role in my rallying career. She's been there with me since my first rally, teaching me a great deal about pacenotes and navigation. Her guidance and partnership have been crucial to my success on the racetrack,” he says. His journey on the racetrack has been a whirlwind of emotions and challenges, each rally presenting its unique terrain and set of obstacles, pushing him to adapt and excel. “One of my most memorable moments was my first autocross event, an adrenaline-pumping experience that put my skills to the test. It was a baptism by fire into the world of competitive rallying, where split-second decisions and precise manoeuvres are the keys to success,” he says.

Testing times

However, no journey in motorsport is complete without its share of setbacks. Aditya Kousgi experienced his first crash during the Rally of Chennai, a tough situation that put both his skills and his car to the test. “Despite the challenges, this experience taught me valuable lessons in resilience, quick thinking, and the importance of safety in rally cars. Another unforgettable moment was when my car toppled during a race. It was a heart-pounding experience that tested my mettle as a driver. While it was a harrowing ordeal, it underscored the resilience of rally cars and the unwavering support of my team. These experiences, both triumphant and challenging, have been crucial in shaping my skills and determination as a rally driver,” he says.

Training hard

His training regimen is rigorous and intense, designed to push his limits and strengthen his bond with the rally car which has been fundamental in his success in rallying. “One particularly memorable experience was a recent four-day endurance training program. It provided invaluable insights into my car's mechanics and dynamics, enhancing my understanding of how to maximize its performance on the track. As I prepare for the Indian National Rally Championship in Hyderabad, my training focuses on refining my skills, honing my reflexes, and pushing my boundaries. This training not only enhances my performance but also strengthens the symbiotic relationship between me and my rally car. It's about taking good care of the car, and it, in turn, takes care of me,” he explains.

Balancing life outside motorsport

While motorsport is a significant part of his life, Aditya Kousgi also finds relaxation and rejuvenation in the great outdoors. “Trekking and traveling are my preferred ways to unwind, often accompanied by my trusty canine companion. These adventures provide me with profound joy and an opportunity to disconnect from the high-octane world of rallying,” he says. His passion for photography endures, and he often capture the beauty and stories of his journeys and says it is his creative outlet that allows him to share his perspective and experiences with others. “Maintaining a balance between work and life is paramount. While I am deeply committed to my rallying career, these moments of leisure refresh my spirit and provide a counterbalance to the intensity of motorsport,” he adds.

Future Perfect

The journey of Aditya Kousgi has been a treasure trove of invaluable lessons. He also encourages aspiring rallyists to embrace change with open arms. “I emphasise that resilience is a cornerstone of success in rallying. Crashes and setbacks may be daunting, but they offer profound opportunities for learning and growth. Each challenge is a chance to become a better driver and a stronger individual. To budding rallyists, I offer the advice to pursue their passions relentlessly. Seek guidance from mentors, appreciate the safety features in your cars, and dedicate yourself to rigorous training. Every experience, whether positive or challenging, is a chance to learn and excel in the world of rallying,” he avers. Looking ahead, he says that the road ahead is filled with excitement and ambition. “My immediate goal is to establish myself as one of the top rally drivers in the country. As I continue this remarkable journey, my aim is to make my family, Chetan Shivram, and Deeksha Balakrishna proud, as they have been the driving force behind my transformation from a photographer to a successful rallyist. This is a journey marked by passion, perseverance, and the pursuit of excellence in the thrilling world of rallying,” he concludes.

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Tilottama Sen: From balloon popping to representing India in world shooting championships

(Jun 4, 2023) Three years ago during the time of lockdown when shooter Tilottama Sen’s father had introduced the idea of shooting to her, she had thought he was talking about film shooting. He wanted the then eleven year old to stop ‘wasting time’ in mobile games and cartoons. Since he had tried his hand at shooting during his college days in Nagaland, he thought that it would be a productive way to keep his daughter engaged. “When he said shooting, I thought that movie-wala shooting and I was like 'no way! I don't know how to act!" Tilottama said laughing during an interview. In just three years from then, the youngster has come a long way. This year she won a bronze medal for India at the women’s 10mn Air Rifle competition, at International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Cairo, Egypt. [caption id="attachment_30628" align="aligncenter" width="700"] Tilottama Sen[/caption] Getting introduced to shooting "The only time Tilottama had picked a gun before her father introduced the idea of shooting to her was at an event at his office where the employees’ families were also invited. Along with other fun activities, there was a balloon-popping competition which Tilottama had enjoyed

t="Indian Sports | Tilottama Sen | Global Indian" width="700" height="842" /> Tilottama Sen[/caption]

Getting introduced to shooting

"The only time Tilottama had picked a gun before her father introduced the idea of shooting to her was at an event at his office where the employees’ families were also invited. Along with other fun activities, there was a balloon-popping competition which Tilottama had enjoyed and had even won.

During the lockdown when her father took her to the shooting range in Bengaluru’s Electronic City she found it interesting but was not very hooked.

"In my first six months, I was still not serious about the sport. I used to go, I used to come back," she said. "But then I got my first kit, then I moved onto a better [range] rifle. Slowly, I saw the improvement."

After six months of training the youngster watched an interview of Olympian Apurvi Chandela who said she was training under coach Rakesh in Bengaluru. Since Tillotma hails from the city she got in touch with Rakesh who helped her hone her skills further.

Tilottama made rapid strides thereafter. Her win at International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Cairo stands as a testimony to her hard work and dedication under the guidance of her coach.

The impressive journey

Though her father Sujit had thought of shooting as ‘just a nice experience for his daughter’ the more she started getting engrossed in it, the more he realised it’s a costly game. The TechMahindra employee had to dig into his provident fund and retirement savings to invest in Tilottama's equipment. Just the rifle cost was ₹2.65 lakhs. Added to that there were other expenses like a new kit (including shoes and gloves), and new pellets. But he kept on investing, looking at how his daughter’s scores were shooting up one event after another.

[caption id="attachment_30630" align="aligncenter" width="607"] Happy after a good performance[/caption]

Tillotama got so immersed in the love of the game that her daily training increased from an hour to six hours a day.

In her first state meet in 2021, she shot a 396 (out of 400). In her pre-national south zone meet she shot 398 out of 400. The same year Karnataka association conducted another state meet and Tilottama upped her performance with 400/400. "It was amazing," she remarked.

Breaking grounds

In 2022 the shooter performed well at nationals - selection trial 1 and selection trial 2 earning entry into the senior Indian team and winning a silver in the National Games.

However, her journey is not just about spectacular wins but heart-breaking setbacks as well. At her first nationals in 2021 Tilottama had finished 63rd, unsettled by the travel and the newness of the game. At her first international tournament, a Junior World Cup, she had finished 43rd. But during her setbacks she learnt her lessons and surged ahead with the learnings.

The heights that she has reached in her short career so far has been due to her ability to learn from her mistakes and to remain dedicated. "I used to watch my seniors' videos a lot. I have seen the videos of all the Indian team players from 2017-19," she said.

The first international win

Talking about winning Bronze at ISSF World Cup in Cairo the young shooter said, “"I think I managed it really well (in the face of a challenge).”

"The cheek piece on the rifle had broken and the screws in the butt piece (which is at the shoulder of the shooter) had come loose (in the transit)", she said. “I was not able to understand what to change (in the first round).” However later she was able to identify the problem and address it. But due to the initial hiccup she had to be satisfied with a bronze.

[caption id="attachment_30629" align="aligncenter" width="824"] Tilottama Sen after winning bronze in ISEF World Championship[/caption]

Help from Reliance Foundation

The Sen family has managed to get help from Reliance Foundation. Tilottama was the only one in the senior team without a replacement gun in Cairo. A new secondary rifle has got sponsored by the foundation recently.

The foundation has helped in other ways too, taking care of all round development of the athlete under the guidance of experienced coaches, dieticians and psychologists.

Tillotama is all set to make her country proud in the upcoming Asian Games in September. Her ultimate aim is to perform well at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Only three years into the game her journey has just begun.

Reading Time: 5 mins

Teen equestrian Ananya Settipalli is making waves in the US

(March 1, 2024) In November 2023, 16-year-old equestrian Ananya Settipalli realised a long-time dream - she made it to the United States Dressage Finals, competing with the best young riders in America. At her first junior nationals in 2019, which she entered at the age of 12, she landed multiple podium finishes, including a silver in show jumping. Ananya made it to her second junior nationals just before the pandemic and came home with a team gold in dressage and a team silver in jumping. Ananya Settipalli was born in Boston and discovered a love for horses when she was around four years old. "My parents put me in my first summer camp in North Carolina when I was seven, at a barn called MacNairs," she tells Global Indian. Nobody in her family had been into the sport or ridden horses, but her mum, who was a national-level track athlete, was an early inspiration. Ananya would listen to her mum's stories and wonder what it would feel like to compete at a national level. She would watch equestrian events on TV too, and remembers watching the Olympics over and over. "The way Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester was mesmerising to

obody in her family had been into the sport or ridden horses, but her mum, who was a national-level track athlete, was an early inspiration. Ananya would listen to her mum's stories and wonder what it would feel like to compete at a national level. She would watch equestrian events on TV too, and remembers watching the Olympics over and over. "The way Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester was mesmerising to me. They were the equestrians I looked up to the most growing up."

When she was nine, the family moved to Hyderabad, where Ananya began riding consistently. She started at the Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club but soon switched to Nasr Polo, where she competed at my first show at HRPC under Nasr.

[caption id="attachment_36295" align="aligncenter" width="614"] Teen equestrian Ananya Settipalli[/caption]

Training with KCS Reddy

She moved back to the Hyderabad Polo and Riding Club to train under Hyderabad's only competitive coach at the time, KCS Reddy. "His methods of training were quite different from others," Ananya recalls. She learned her basics on retired thoroughbreds (ex-racehorses), which can be very challenging to ride compared to the more traditional, docile warmbloods. "I learned most things related to riding the hard way. With off-track thoroughbreds, you have to control every action you make when you're on them," she says.

It was a challenging way to learn. At Nasr Polo, the polo horses were well-trained and easy to handle. The ones at HRPC, however, were fresh off the race course and had received a few months of training from KCS Reddy and his assistant. "It was a rough experience since the horses were so green, but I wouldn't trade it for any other," Ananya says, adding with a smile, "And if I hadn't, I wouldn't have met Princess."

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Meeting 'Princess'

On her 12th birthday, Ananya got her first horse, Princess, as a present. When she rode her for the first time, Princess, who was “as grumpy as a mare could get,” threw her off right away, leaving Ananya with a concussion and “a giant red mark” on her face.” A few months later, when Ananya was at her first show, Princess threw her again, and this time, she fractured her arm. "Nobody thought I would come back to riding. Nobody thought I would keep Princess. But I did both because the most important thing to understand with a horse is that it's never their fault," she says. Instead, Ananya learned patience, and began building a real relationship with the horse she would soon call her best friend. She would head to the stables at 5 am and spend three hours with Princess before school. "It was the best experience I ever had. On weekends, I would spend the first half of the day with her, I would bathe her, hand graze her, groom her and just sit in her stall to spend time with her. She was very sensitive but she just needed some love and a girl who had all the love in the world to offer to her." Their bond only grew, and ultimately, Ananya went on to qualify for the nationals riding Princess.

Competing in India

By this time, Ananya was going back and forth between Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where she was now training under Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School. She rode with Limaye to try horses to compete in her first Equestrian Premier League at the Embassy to qualify for the nationals. "I loved the place immediately," she said. "They had incredible facilities; everything was so well organised and everyone was extremely friendly and the horses were well taken care of." At the Embassy, she was also looking for horses to ride at the EPLs and ended up riding four, three of which came from the Embassy: Qurt, Dejavu, and Obligado. The fourth was a mare named Zala, whom she leased from the United Rider barn.

Her most special bond, however, was with Obligado, who was around 20 years old when she began riding him. "He's a thoroughbred but he could jump the 130s with ease and even when he was 19, he could jump the 115 cm classes without breaking a sweat. When I first rode him I barely knew how to jump. I couldn't even get around a course without falling off but he's an angel. He rarely misbehaved and taught me the basics of jumping."

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By this time, the pandemic had hit. However, the Embassy allowed Ashish Limaye's students to stay at the riding school and continue to train. Ananya, her friends, and Ashish lived at the school for six months. "He was the most influential coach I had the opportunity to train with," Ananya says. They would ride in the morning, go to school, ride again after, and in keeping with Ashish's rule for his students, work out after riding. "Under Ashish, I competed at two Junior National Equestrian Championships in India," she says.

[caption id="attachment_36301" align="aligncenter" width="426"] Ananya Settipalli with Ashish Limaye at the Embassy International Riding School[/caption]

Back to the US

In a stroke of bad luck, Ananya came down with a fairly severe case of Covid 19 in 2020. At this point, her parents decided to go back to the US, this time to Texas, partly for the good schools and also because they had found Ananya a great coach, Kai Handt.

In 2021, Ananya began riding under Handt, who is also one of the top coaches in the US for para-equestrians, at the North Texas Equestrian Center. Then, in 2022, she bought her current horse from Kai, NTEC Classico, a seven-year-old gelding "with impeccable breeding lines and amazing scope in jumping and dressage," Ananya says. That year, she competed at her first regional championship in 2022.

She attended her second regionals in 2023, this time on another of Kai Handt's best horses, the NTEC Falstaff. This time, the idea was to qualify for the United States Dressage Finals. They qualified and made it to the event in Lexington, Kentucky.

A different ecosystem

Being an equestrian in the US, Ananya says, is a very different experience from being one in India. For starters, the average level is much higher - the best riders in India struggle to even qualify when they first arrive in Germany or the US. "It's much more competitive in the US because it's a much more popular sport," she says. Shows also work differently and it took some adjusting to at first.

"After I bought NTEC Classico, it became easier because consistency is key. Having a horse to ride five days a week definitely helps when you compete with that same horse." Another difference is that riders in the US are expected to do a lot more for their horses. "In India, in HRPC and Embassy, they would know what time I would be there and have the horses ready to ride and take care of them afterward. But in America, at most barns, you tack up your own horse, untack them, and take care of them when you're done riding," Ananya explains. "It's a very different experience, but I like taking care of my horse better because it allows you to build a connection with them."

[caption id="attachment_36294" align="aligncenter" width="492"] Ananya and her father, with NTEC Classico[/caption]

The ties that bind

In dressage, a strong bond between horse and rider is key, where everything is about trust, respect, empathy, and teamwork. That's why Ananya focusses on spending consistent time with her horse, not just during the training but also by doing everyday activities like grooming and so on. "Communication is huge, I try to be clear and consistent with my cues so my horse knows what I'm asking for and I make sure to give plenty of praise and maybe a treat here and there." There are challenges of course, as with any relationship. "But I've learned to approach them with patience and understanding. It's not just about winning ribbons in the arena; it's about having a true partnership with your horse."

Ananya hopes to keep winning but says it's more than just about accolades. "It's about deepening my understanding of horses and enriching their lives through thoughtful training and care." She also wants to continue training, saying, "I aim to compete at higher level competitions and hopefully international ones as well."

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