E-Paper
Maharashtra gymnastics team’s best performance till now, says coach Yogesh Shirke
Girls won gold medals in the senior and junior category at the 57th Senior and 55th Junior artistic gymnastics national championship and boys won bronze (senior) and silver (junior) medals.
Coaching the Maharashtra team since the year 2000 – Yogesh Shirke is on cloud nine with the performance of state team at the 57th Senior and 55th Junior artistic gymnastics national championship that concluded at Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex, gymnasium hall, Balewadi, on Sunday.
With girls winning gold medals in the senior and junior category in the overall championship and boys winning bronze (senior) and silver (junior) medals, it has been a very successful event for the Maharashtra team.
Shirke tells Jigar Hindocha of how the Maharashtra gymnasts can improve and compete at the highest level.
What are your views on Maharashtra’s performance?
It was a superb performance, especially from the women’s team. Winning a gold medal in the senior category is something we wanted to achieve for a long time. West Bengal and Services are the other two teams that are the toughest competitors. Overcoming both of them gives us immense confidence.
Which are the cities producing good gymnasts from Maharashtra?
Pune, Thane, Mumbai and Aurangabad are the leading cities which are producing great gymnastic talents. In other cities, talent is lacking due to the unavailability of infrastructure and training.
Who are the girls who can be seen as part of the national team in the future?
Shraddha Talekar, Riddhi Hattekar, Siddhi Hattekar are the finest talents who will definitely become part of the Indian team in the future. We also have many other players who will make a big impact in future.
What do our gymnasts need to improve?
Level of difficulties in practice is something which we need to increase. We also need to keep performing new drills.
Your views on the men’s team?
Men’s team did well in the championship and they will surely improve. All of them are hard working. I hope in the next artistic gymnastics national championship they will improve their performance.
What about the facilities at Krida Prabodhini, Pune?
It is one of the best in the state. If we have more facilities in other cities, then surely we will help to produce more gymnasts.
