Khelo India Youth Games: A melting pot of young talent

The established names excelled expectedly but Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) also brought to the forefront a bunch of talented kids, whose success was a testimony that unflagging spirit can overcome adversities.

The superiority of Youth Olympic gold medallist weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga, CWG silver medalist shooter Mehuli Ghosh and swimmer Srihari Nataraj was beyond doubt but there were a few like Bavleen Kaur and Deepak Singh, for whom the Games was a big window of opportunity

Jammu and Kashmir gymnast Bavleen was star performer for her team, taking home three gold and two silver medals.

The 16-year-old had scores of 12.35, 11.25, 13.30 and 11.40 in the ball, ribbon, clubs, and hoop events, respectively.

But Bavleen, who aspires to represent India in the next Commonwealth Games, explains how difficult it is for the gymnasts in her place to even find a suitable training space.

"I practice in a government stadium where we have a multipurpose hall for gymnastics and badminton. It ...