Pranati Nayak has been around for a long time now but this is perhaps the first time the experienced gymnast is shouldering the sport’s hopes all alone. As the lone Indian gymnast at the Asian Games here, Pranati is glad of the responsibility but also admits having a team around is always better.
“It would have been so much better if the entire team had been together here. But for now, I am the only one here and maybe yes, it is not great news for Indian gymnastics. But this is not the end and I am very sure that all of us will work harder together and qualify for the next competition. To the upcoming gymnasts, I will only say that everyone needs to work much harder to ensure Asian and Commonwealth participation,” Pranati said in an interaction here.
Accompanied by coach Ashok Kumar Mishra, the 28-year-old Indian – only the second gymnast after Dipa Karmakar to participate in the Olympics — knows the challenge ahead.
