Keshav adjudged best gymnast

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, November 24

City-based gymnast, Keshav Thakur, after clinching eight gold medals in the Punjab games, has been declared the best gymnast of the Panjab University (PU).

Keshav, a student of BCA 1st year at the Sanatan Dharam Kamla Lohtia College, Ludhiana, stamped his superiority, winning three gold medals to enable his side-Panjab University, Chandigarh, emerge overall champion in the All India Inter-Varsity Gymnastics Competition for boys and girls held from November 13 to 19.

Participants from 60 varsities from across the country competed in this tournament. Mumbai University and Punjabi University, Patiala, finished as first and second runners-up, respectively.

A product of the Guru Nanak Stadium Coaching Centre and being coached by his father Prem Singh, Keshav won a yellow medal in parallel bars besides all round and team championship.

Earlier, in the PU Inter-College Gymnastic Competition, Keshav bagged two gold medals (all round and parallel bars) three silver medals (pommel horse, table vault and roman rings).

In the Open Senior Punjab State Gymnastic Championship held at Jalandhar, Keshav had secured a gold medal. Last year, Keshav was named the best gymnast in the 63rd National School Games organised by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) at Kolkata.

On the basis of his performance in the inter-varsity tournament at Chandigarh, Keshav has been selected for the Khelo India Youth Games slated to be held from January 8 to 20 at Pune.