Aruna Budda Reddy created history by becoming the first Indian gymnast to clinch an individual medal at the Gymnastics World Cup in Melbourne by securing bronze in the women’s vault. The 22 years old scored 13.649 points to finish 3rd, Slovenia’s Tjasa Kysslef bagged gold with 13.800 points, while Australia’s Emily Whitehead clinched silver with 13.699 points. Pranati Nayak, the other competing Indian finished sixth with a score of 13.416.
Reddy got involved in karate at age five but at age eight her karate master realised that her body was flexible and encouraged her to try gymnastics. Thee 22 years old is a student of Osmania University in Hyderabad and is ambitious of competing in the 2018 Commonwealth games and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
She credits her father Narayan Reddy to play most influential role in her career. He sold his house to help her become a gymnast but unfortunately he passed away in 2012. Aruna on the other hand lost her focus after the tragic incident but champions are not meant to be kept quiet for long. She competed at the 2012 Senior National Championships in Udaipur, India, and won gold medal in vault and beam. She told DNA “”I told my father that since he had sacrificed so much for my training, I was not going to settle for anything less than a gold. After my father’s death, I lost my focus for a week or so. I didn’t know what to do and even contemplated quitting the sport. But my sister and brother-in-law took care of me and provided me the support which I needed then,”.
A bronze in a world cup event will surely act as a catalyst for Aruna Budda Reddy as she strives for success at International arena.
WAG Vault Medal Ceremony ?#GymnasticsWorldCup #MelbWC18 #VisitVictoria #VisitMelbourne pic.twitter.com/Hozv3xcsHX
— World Cup Gymnastics (@gymworldcup) February 24, 2018
