He returns to chants of ‘Anish, Anish’
Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service
Karnal, April 15
The youngest-ever gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games, 15-year-old Anish Bhanwala, received a hero’s welcome on his return to his hometown on Sunday.
He clinched gold in the men’s 25-m rapid fire pistol event.
Leaders and representatives of social organisations, including Sugarfed chairman Chander Parkash Kathuria and INLD leader Narender Sangwan, gathered near National Highway 44 to welcome Anish.
They chanted “Anish, Anish” when his procession in an open jeep headed towards his home.
On seeing her son, Poonam Rani couldn’t control her emotions. “I am elated at my son’s achievement. I thank God. I urge all parents to let their children to follow their heart,” she said.
“Anish’s efforts have paid off,” his father Jagpal Singh Bhanwala said.
Anish’s next goal is World Cup to be held in Korea. “To clinch gold in the CWG was my dream. Now, I will concentrate on World Cup. I give credit to my parents for my achievement who sacrificed a lot for this day,” he said.
Thanking his sister Muskan, who is also a shooter, Anish said, “My sister is like my coach and mentor, who always motivate me to do better.”
Anish is a student of Class X. He was given special permission to skip examinations and participate in the CWG. “I thank the CBSE for rescheduling my examinations. The next three days, I will busy giving my examinations,” he said.
Muskan, who won a gold medal in Junior World Cup in the 25-m rapid fire pistol event last month in Australia, said she was concentrating on games to be held in Germany in June. “Anish and I have fixed our goal on an Olympic medal,” she said.
