In recent years, India has witnessed a surge of talented young athletes across various sports. From the high-speed thrill of racing to the lightning-fast reflexes of table tennis, and from the resilience of para-badminton to the precision of shooting and the power of wrestling, these youngsters are making a significant impact in sports. All under the age of 25, these exceptional individuals are not only excelling in their respective sports but also setting new records and motivating generations to come.
Yuven Sundaramoorthy ( Racer ):
Yuven Sundaramoorthy is an American racing driver. He currently competes in Indy NXT with Abel Motorsports.He previously drove for Exclusive Motorsport and Pabst Racing. He also came in third in the Copper Tires USF 2000 Championship Series, with four wins, 14 top 10s, nine podiums, and four pole finishes. In India, Sundaramoorthy has completed the MRF Challenge Series and the Formula Race Promotions F1600 Championships with wins and podium finishes.
Manika Batra (Table Tennis):
Manika Batra was Born on 15 June 1995. In 2016, she became the first Indian paddler (table tennis player) to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in singles. She’s also part of the historic Indian women’s team that won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Manika Batra is a prominent Indian table tennis player, recognized as the leading female in the sport within India. As of May 2024, she holds the 24th position in the ITTF world rankings. Notably, Batra utilizes a long pimple rubber, distinguishing her among her peers. Her achievements include receiving the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2020, cementing her status as a key figure in Indian table tennis.
Pramod Bhagat (Para-Badminton):
Pramod Bhagat, born on 4 June 1988 in Vaishali district. This badminton champion might be inspiring you in a different way. He’s a two-time Gold medalist (2017 & 2020) and a World Champion in his category, proving that disability is not a barrier to excellence.
Over the next two years, he immersed himself in training, focusing on footwork, fitness, and mastering the intricacies of the game. At just 15 years old, he bravely entered his first tournament against able-bodied players, spurred on by the encouragement of spectators, which fueled his determination to pursue a career in badminton.
4.Aditi Ashok (Golf)
Aditi Ashok , born on 29 March 1998 in Bangalore, India, is a professional golfer who competes on both the Ladies European Tour and LPGA Tour. She made her Olympic debut at the 2016 Summer Olympics and represented India again at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, where she finished 4th in golf. Her career began early, participating in the Asia Pacific Invitation tournament at the age of 12. By 13, she achieved her first professional tour victory. Her dominance continued with three consecutive wins at the National Junior Championship in 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2014, she held both junior and senior titles simultaneously, a remarkable feat in Indian golf. She represented India at the Asian Youth Games in 2013, as well as at the Youth Olympics and Asian Games in 2014, distinguishing herself as the sole Indian golfer in these prestigious events.
Divya Kakran (Wrestling):
Divya Kakran, born in 1998, this 20-year-old wrestler is a rising star in the Indian wrestling contingent. In 2022, she became the youngest Indian wrestler ever to win a gold medal at the Asian Championships. Competing in the 68kg category, she displayed immense power and skill, marking her potential for future dominance in the sport.
She has secured a remarkable total of 60 medals, including an impressive 17 gold medals in the Delhi State Championship, and has been recognized with the Bharat Kesari title eight times. Beyond her wrestling prowess, Divya has been vocal about the challenges she faced in receiving adequate support from the Delhi government, despite highlighting her financial struggles in pursuit of excellence, notably during her campaign for a medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
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