24-year-old Medhali Clinched Gold in Diving at National Games 2022
(The Quiver): On Friday, after switching her profession into Diving, Gymnast Turned Diver Medhali Redkar bagged Gold at the National Games 2022.
Formerly a gymnast, Medhali switched to diving after being encouraged to do so by her trainers, who pointed out that the two sports share a common need for core strength and acrobatic skills.
Medhali thought about it but decided to attempt it. With a final score of 171.50 points, the Mumbaikar ended state-mate Hrutika Shriram’s grasp on the gold medals seven years later.
Considering that it was the final event, the wait was getting to me because I had only made the team in one event. But I and my psychologist worked on it, as I got close to win a medal. Medhali said.
When asked about her transition from gymnasium to diving, she said, back in 2015, when she first began working with coach Tushar Gitaye in the Prabodhankar Thackeray Swimming Pool, she first engaged in both sports.
“Although diving and gymnastics require similar skills, the approaches are very different. In diving, you dive into the water head first, whereas in gymnastics, you must land on your feet.
Over the years, the 24-year-old diver has won multiple national level medals in gymnasium.
Gymnastics was still a niche sport when I started. Only until Dipa Karmakar arrived in the Olympics did everyone begin to learn about it.
“Hopefully diving will arrive there soon as well. I’ll be glad to use my performances to help it succeed.
