Avik to represent India at Asian Youth Games in Bahrain

In an achievement for Indian equestrian sports, Avik Bhatia has been selected to represent India in show jumping at the prestigious Asian Youth Games (AYG) 2025, scheduled to be held in Bahrain. This is for the first time that a rider from Punjab will don national colours in equestrian show-jumping event at the Asian Youth Games.

Seventeen-year-old Avik topped the national merit list following an exceptional season, earning his place in the Indian team. With more than 40 medals won across international, national and regional show-jumping competitions during 2024–25, Avik firmly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Indian equestrian sport.

For the past three years, he has been declared as the best rider in Delhi Horse Show. He has also been upgraded from the children’s to young rider’s category.

Avik started participating in equestrian sports at the age of seven. His father Naveen Bhatia is the regional head of Fortis Healthcare Ltd. Originally from Balachaur, Nawanshahr, Naveen told The Tribune, “We are a family of animal lovers. Avik naturally inherited this trait.”

The champion spent the first four years of his life in Nawanshahr before the family relocated to Gurgaon following Naveen’s job transfer.

Avik will be competing aboard with his seven-year-old BB’s NirBhau (Nathan), a horse noted for its agility and strong competitive temperament. This is not his first stint representing India. He was a part of the Indian children’s team in 2022 and went on to win an individual bronze medal at the Asian Equestrian Federation Cup (Youth), further highlighting his international pedigree.

Sharing the story of buying his son’s first warmblood horse, Naveen recalled, “He was winning every state-level competition and kept asking me to get him a warmblood. I told him, Do well in your first national-level competition, and we’ll buy a horse. I said that knowing it will be a real challenge. It was his first time at that level, and the competition was tough. But Avik went out there and won. That’s how he earned his first horse,” the proud father said with a smile. “Avik trains in the Netherlands. He also trains horses himself,” he said.

Speaking to The Tribune, Naveen highlighted several challenges, noting that Avik was currently a Class XII student and had to balance his studies alongside his training. “In show jumping, it’s not just about the rider — the horse’s fitness is equally important. Ensuring that both the rider and horse remain fit and injury-free is crucial,” he shared.

With Avki’s selection for the AYG 2025, expectations are high. The equestrian community and sports enthusiasts across the nation are hopeful that Avik would bring laurels to India.