The act of balancing picked up in gymnastics seems to be working for Sandeep Bisht in other spheres of his life as well.
The 15-year-old city lad, a gold-medallist in acrobatics at the 2009 National School Games, recently won a gold medal each in boys’ and men’s pair events of the inter-school acrobatic championship.
Participating since the age of 11, Sandeep has won over 20 medals in inter-school tourneys.
And while his medal tally has swelled with time, the boy has made it a point to maintain equilibrium in his studies and responsibilities towards family.
DOUBLE THE WORK
A student of Class 10 in Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10, Sandeep has always managed to score in the eighties, and also lends a helping hand to his father’s tiffin service business.
“I used to feel bad seeing my father going about delivering tiffins alone. I wanted to help and one day asked him if I could make the deliveries for him.” Sandeep now paddles close to an hour daily after school, distributing tiffins.
He then puts in two hours at the Panjab University’s gymnastics centre in DAV College, Sector 10. In the morning, he spends the same amount of time training at the university gym.
On what drove him towards gymnastics, he says: “I like the rush. Initially, I was scared but everything became easy with practice.”
At the moment, Sandeep is preparing for bigger challenges: “The state championship and National School Games are due in October and January.”
{{/usCountry}}At the moment, Sandeep is preparing for bigger challenges: “The state championship and National School Games are due in October and January.”
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SAI HELP
His coach Rajinder Sharma also has high hopes from the boy.
“Because of his consistent performance, Sandeep has been included in the SAI’s day boarding scheme which ensures he gets a free kit and a monthly refreshment allowance of Rs 600. I believe someday he will be as successful as his idol Ashish Kumar (2010 Commonwealth and Asian Games medallist).”
As for Sandeep’s parents, they have nothing more to ask for. “Sandeep is doing well both in sport and studies. We are proud of him and will support him to the hilt if he wants to make his career in gymnastics,” said father Anand Singh Bisht.