Keshav Thakur makes strides in gymnastics

Anil Datt
Ludhiana, July 16

Keshav Thakur (19) of Ludhiana has been making big strides in the field of gymnastics. He has proved his mettle winning positions at different competitions.

Keshav started taking part in gymnastics in 2008 under the guidance of his father and senior coach with the Punjab Sports Department, Prem Singh. He impressed everyone with his abilities, zeal to excel and also began achieving the desired results, instantly.

After making his presence felt at the district-level tournaments, Keshav gave improved performance in the state-level competitions wherein, competing against the best, he stamped his superiority.

Keshav brought glory to his parents, city and BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh Road branch, securing medals in various tournaments during the past couple of years.

In 2017, Keshav represented Punjab in the 63rd National School Games, organised by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) at Kolkata, in which he was adjudged the third best all-round gymnast winning bronze medals in roman rings and parallel bars events. The Punjab squad finished at third place in these games.

Keshav gave an outstanding performance in the Punjab State Judo Championship (U-19) held at Gurdaspur, same year wherein he swept all the eight gold medals and was declared the best all-round gymnast.

Last year, he took admission in BCA at Kamla Lohtia Sanatan Dharam College, Ludhiana, and continued with his consistent performance. He participated in the Senior Punjab State Judo Championship at Jalandhar where he along with two co-trainees, namely Vinod Bhatt and Mukesh Kumar, represented Ludhiana district.

Keshav bagged four medals, including one gold and two silver medals, in this championship. He notched up top honours in roman rings, silver medals in floor exercise and parallel bars, besides a bronze medal in pommel horse events.

Keshav was adjudged the second best all-round gymnast while the Punjab contingent secured third position at Jalandhar. This performance fetched Keshav a berth in the Punjab contingent in the Khelo India held at Pune. Three other members of the Punjab team were from Patiala.

In 2018, while representing Panjab University in the All-India Inter-Universities Judo Competition held at Chandigarh in which participants from as many as 60 universities from all over the country participated, Keshav helped his team emerge overall champions.

Keshav won three gold medals in this championship that included parallel bars, team event and the best all-round gymnast.

Currently, Keshav has been preparing himself for the upcoming Punjab State Judo (U-20) Championship scheduled to be held in the third week of next month.

Achievements

• In 2017, Keshav was adjudged the third best all-round gymnast winning bronze medals in roman rings and parallel bars events in the 63rd National School Games at Kolkata
• Keshav won eight gold medals and was declared the best all-round gymnast in the Punjab State Judo Championship (U-19) held at Gurdaspur
• Bagged four medals, including one gold and two silver medals, in the Senior Punjab State Judo Championship at Jalandhar
• Last year, he won three gold medals in the All-India Inter-Universities Judo Competition held at Chandigarh