📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Nagarjun Kandukuru
Sports
16‑year‑old Madhya Pradesh paddler eyes Asian Games medal
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 25 Aug 2026, 02:36 AM
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A 16‑year‑old paddler from Madhya Pradesh has qualified for the upcoming Asian Games, targeting a podium finish.
A teenager aged 16 from Madhya Pradesh has secured a place in the national canoe‑polo squad for the Asian Games scheduled later this year. The young athlete, who rose through the state’s junior paddling program, met the selection criteria set by the Indian Canoe Federation after a series of trials in Delhi.
Coaches highlighted his exceptional speed and endurance, noting that his performance at the recent national championships placed him among the top contenders for the continental event. The paddler will now undergo an intensive training camp in Pune, where he will work alongside senior team members to fine‑tune technique and race strategy.
Officials from the Sports Authority of India confirmed that the athlete will receive full support, including specialized equipment and sports science services, as part of the preparation for the Games in Hangzhou, China. If he succeeds, he could become one of the youngest Indian athletes to win an Asian Games medal in canoeing.
Coaches highlighted his exceptional speed and endurance, noting that his performance at the recent national championships placed him among the top contenders for the continental event. The paddler will now undergo an intensive training camp in Pune, where he will work alongside senior team members to fine‑tune technique and race strategy.
Officials from the Sports Authority of India confirmed that the athlete will receive full support, including specialized equipment and sports science services, as part of the preparation for the Games in Hangzhou, China. If he succeeds, he could become one of the youngest Indian athletes to win an Asian Games medal in canoeing.