Indian sports wrap, January 6: Chennai rider wins silver at Junior National Equestrian Championships

Indian sports wrap, January 6: Chennai rider wins silver at Junior National Equestrian Championships

The young riders from Chennai Equitation Centre have returned from the Junior National Championships 2024 in New Delhi with a historic 18 medals, setting an all-time record for the team. This victory marks a landmark achievement for the Chennai-based equestrian academy, which has consistently placed at the top in Dressage competitions.

In the Children 2 (10-12 years) category, Kevin Gabriel riding his horse Soulmate (competition name: Sechs Richtige), played a key role in securing the team’s gold in Children- 2 category. Kevin also earned an individual silver medal, while teammate Eshan Sundaram claimed Gold with his black mare, Fame of Viberty. The team also featured Punav Suresh on Grandduke and Hasini B from Coimbatore. Miraya Dhadabhoy with her horse Knock-out claimed the team gold alongside Sankara Rathore with FT in the Junior category.

“In horse-riding the partnership between horse and rider is essential to perform at the top. It is a great sport for children and juniors to make them mentally and physically strong as well as build a trusted relationship with their 500 kg sport-partner: the horse. The kind of experience and life-lessons they learn with us stay with them for life and benefit them well beyond their active riding career. “says Isabelle Futnani.

Kevin Gabriel, who began riding at the age of 10, has already established an impressive track record. In 2022, he won his first national competition and was honored with the Best Youngest Rider award. Under the mentorship of Isabelle at the Chennai Equitation Centre, Kevin earned an individual Silver medal and contributed to the team’s historic Gold at the Junior National Championships. To date, Kevin has won 21 medals and 3 trophies and remains committed to reaching new milestones in his equestrian career.

Chennai Equitation Centre, known for its world-class training facilities and experienced instructors, has been a nurturing ground for equestrian talent in India. Over the years, it has consistently produced top riders who have represented the country at both national and international competitions.

– Team Sportstar

Defending men’s and women’s champions Srinu Bugatha and Thakor Nirmaben will headline a star-studded Indian elite field for the Tata Mumbai Marathon (TMM) to be held on January 19.

Reigning Asian marathon champion Man Singh, Olympian Gopi T, a two-time winner and three-time runner-up, and the experienced Kalidas Hirve are among the leading contenders in the men’s race.

Gopi won the 2024 New Delhi Marathon with a time of 2:14.40, pipping second-placed Army-mate Bugatha by one second.

Maharashtra’s Hirve, who finished third in the 2023 edition underlined his current form by winning the recent Vasai-Virar Mayor’s Marathon.

The World Athletics Gold Label race will also see Kartik Kumar, the 2023 Asian Games 10,000m silver medallist, making his debut over the classic distance in Mumbai.

Kartik’s best marathon time is 2:22:50, which he recorded in Bengaluru in October last year. Also in the mix is young Harshad Mahtre, who finished fifth in the last edition.

Challenging Nirmaben, runner-up at the 2024 New Delhi Marathon, will be Sonika Parmar and Reenu, winner and runner-up respectively at the 2024 Coal India Ranchi Marathon.

In the fray also is Mumbai Marathon regular Arati Patil, who finished second in the 2023 edition.

The top three finishers in the Indian elite men’s and women’s categories will receive prize money of Rs 5 lakh, 4 lakh and 3 lakh respectively from the total prize fund of USD 390,238.

An incentive reward of Rs 2 lakh is up for grabs for setting a new TMM mark, which is currently held by Nitendra Singh Rawat in the men’s 2016 edition (2:15:48) and Sudha Singh in the women’s 2019 edition (2:34:56).

– PTI