Commonwealth Games 2018: Hyderabad based rhythmic gymnast Meghana Reddy qualifies for Gold Coast

What's the story?

Rhythmic gymnastics may be a sport alien to most Indians but one particular teenager is shining brightly on the world stage and will represent India at the Commonwealth Games to be held on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Meghana Reddy Gundlapally from Hyderabad qualified for the Games with a whopping victory as she topped the Commonwealth Games trials with a massive seven-point margin to the second place finisher. This performance makes her one of India's best hopes of securing a major medal at the Games to be held later this year down under.

In case you didn't know...

Meghana Reddy, who is just 19 years of age, pursued her dream of being a rhythmic gymnastics athlete by training in the United States of America as well as England on her own expenses due to lack of proper facilities in India. She is now training under renowned Rio Olympian Varvara Filiou in a bid to bring home a medal.

The heart of the matter

Meghana released news of her qualification for the Commonwealth Games via Twitter and subsequently thanked the several governing bodies responsible for her growth in the sport and expressed her delight at being a part of the Indian contingent in Australia.

Topped India's CWG Trials for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Delhi with a huge 7 point margin to the 2nd position. Happy to be part of 225 Indian Contingent to CWG2018. Special Thanks to @KTRTRS for constant encouragement. Thank you all for good wishes, IOA, SAI, GFI,SATS & Association pic.twitter.com/zE2whQY1W8

— Meghana Reddy Gundlapally (@meghanagymnast) February 21, 2018

Her path to qualification has been quite dominant with gold-medal winning performances in the National Games as well as several International events related to Gymnastics.

What's next?

Meghana Reddy will be laser focussed on the goal of achieving success at the Commonwealth Games and bring home a medal in a sport that isn't always associated with India.

Author's take

Rhythmic Gymnastics is certainly gaining an identity in the country thanks to young prodigies such as Meghana Reddy and regardless of whether she does manage to win big at the Commonwealth Games, the Sports Ministry should definitely take notice.