India’s equestrian prowess shone brightly at the Asian Equestrian Federation Cup-Youth (AEF Cup CSIY-B) as Surya Aditya, an 18-year-old from Chennai, clinched a silver medal in Round 1. Aditya’s stellar performance saw him complete the demanding 11-obstacle, 1.15m show jumping course in an impressive 71.42 seconds, without incurring any penalties. He narrowly missed out on the gold, finishing just 6.22 seconds behind Iran’s Mollaafzal, who emerged victorious. Fabiola Chong secured the bronze medal with a time of 79.99 seconds. Out of the 12 riders competing, only eight managed to conquer the challenging course. India’s Avik Bhatia also made a mark, finishing in 74.40 seconds with eight penalty points.
EFI Secretary General Col. Jaiveer Singh expressed immense pride in Surya Aditya and all the participants for their exceptional display of skill and determination. He emphasized the significance of hosting the AEF Cup CSIY-B in India after 14 years, highlighting the growing strength of equestrian sports within the country. The event, which runs from October 11 to 13, brings together top equestrian talents from around the world, promising exciting performances in the upcoming rounds.
On a different court, Aahan, a 14-year-old tennis prodigy, displayed remarkable grit and skill, securing both the under-16 and 14 girls titles at the Fenesta National sub-junior tennis championship in Delhi. Aahan, who trains under coach Santosh Kumar Mallik at the Gurukul Academy in Bhubaneswar, showcased her talent by defeating Aishwarya Jadhav in a thrilling under-16 girls final that lasted over three and a half hours. She then went on to dominate the under-14 category, outwitting Parthsarthi Mundhe with ease. Aahan’s impressive run saw her drop only 14 games in all six matches for the under-14 crown.
Coach Santosh Mallik praised Aahan’s fighting spirit and immense potential, highlighting her dedication to improving her serve and forehand power. In the under-16 boys division, Samarth Sahita, a trainee of coach Shrimal Bhatt at the Altevol Academy in Ahmedabad, emerged victorious, defeating Karan Thapa in straight sets. Raghav Sarode, on the other hand, secured the under-14 boys title, overcoming top seed Aaradhya Mhasde in a closely contested three-set match. The tournament witnessed a high level of competition, showcasing the immense talent and dedication of young athletes across the country.
