Sports
Akash Chikte, Hockey player - Yavatmal
Akash Chikte attracted attention of the hockey world by his superb performance in various hockey tournaments in India in 2019.
He put up a great show in Gold Cup (Chennai), Bengaluru Cup and Surjeet Hockey Tournament in Jalandhar. Akash led Services Sports Control Board which won gold medal in Nehru Championship (senior men national championship).
India’s trusted goalkeeper, Akash hails from Yavatmal. While living in a 10x10 feet size house, he succeeded in carving a niche for himself at international level. Due to his stellar performance in tournaments played in India, Akash made his international debut through Indian team in 2016.
Maharashtra Government felicitated him with the state’s highest Shiv Chhatrapati award in recognition of his outstanding performance during 2018-19.
He was adjudged the best goalkeeper in the Asian Cup Hockey Championship. He was part of the Indian team which won a bronze medal in the Hockey World League in Bhubaneswar. With his consistent performance, he has posed a challenge to India’s ace goalkeeper P R Sreejesh. He is now aiming to be a member of the national camp of the Indian team to be held in 2020. He has plans to impress through his performance in Commonwealth Games, World League and Olympic tournament.
Harshvardhan Sadgir, Wrestler, Nashik
Harshvardhan Sadgir had to be contended with a silver medal during the national games held at Rajasthan and Haryana in 2018. However, the year 2019 saw him shining brightly. He secured a gold medal in 130 kgs category in intercollegiate national games.
Later, he clinched Pune Mahapaur Kesari and Chandrapur Mahapaur Kesari titles, proving his mettle.
He won the Maharashtra Kesari title in the beginning of 2020 and created his own place in the field of wrestling. A disciple of Ustad Kaka Pawar, Harshvardhan clinched the prestigious Maharashtra Kesari mace.
In the finals, he defeated his own Talim mate (another disciple of Ustad Kaka Pawar) and close friend Shailesh Shelke. Harshvardhan lifted Shailesh on his shoulders after the bout and presented a sterling example of sportsman spirit. He received praise from all quarters for this gesture.
After clinching the Maharashtra Kesari title, the major aim before him now is the Hind Kesari title. Harshvardhan is also looking to represent the country in Commonwealth and Olympic games.
Jemimah Rodrigues (Woman Cricketer, Mumbai)
Jemimah Rodrigues made a mark in the world of cricket by giving remarkable performances against countries like Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa in 2019.
She is an opening Indian batswoman in one-day international team and strengthens the middle order of the T-20 Team.
Her excellent show contributed in Indian team winning one-day series against New Zealand, England, South Africa and West Indies in the years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Jemimah is the second Indian woman cricketer after Smriti Mandhana to score a double century in a 50 overs cricket match. Representing Mumbai, she scored 202 runs in just 163 balls in Aurangabad against Saurashtra in November 2017, drawing attention of selectors.
She was selected in the Indian squad for the first time during ODI series against South Africa in February 2018. She made her ODI debut against Australia in March 2018.
She was born at Bhandup in Mumbai suburban and has two brothers. She started playing cricket at the age of four. Her father Ivan Rodrigues decided to settle at Bandra to aid the career of his daughter and provide her necessary sports facilities.
Jemimah learnt lessons of cricket from her father and later did commendable job for the country.
She also excelled in hockey. She was a member of Maharashtra under-17 and 19 hockey teams.
Her contribution in India's victories against South Africa and West Indies in T-20 series was praiseworthy. She also played an important role in T-20 tri-series held in Australia before the T-20 World Cup. Indian team stood runner-up in this tri-series.
Rishank Devadiga, Kabaddi player, Mumbai
Rishank Devadiga was conferred with prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati award of Maharashtra for the year 2018-19 owing to his consistent performance in the last one year.
Rishank, who came in the limelight through his exploits in Pro-Kabaddi league, started his career with his home team U Mumba and is now playing for UP Yoddha. His stellar performance was enough to attract attention of all. He is known for do or die raids as well as solid defence.
He made a valuable contribution in the win of the Indian team during Kabaddi Masters tournament 2018-19, Dubai. He also showed his talent in the National Championship, Roha and excelled in the 18th Asian Sport tournament, Jakarta. UP Yoddha team retained him with a price tag of Rs 61 lakh for the seventh season of pro Kabaddi league.
Rishank is determined to maintain consistency in his performance in 2020 also and his goal is to do well in the World Cup Kabaddi. Rishank is taking efforts for showing good performance against strong teams like Iran and Korea.
Shahu Mane- Shooter, Kolhapur
Shahu Tushar Mane has the distinction of winning a silver medal for India in the Youth Olympics when he was just 16.
After emerging champion in the national youth sports meet in 2016, he was directly included in the probables for the Indian national team. After this, he also recorded excellent performance in the international selection test.
He won a gold and a silver medal in the Asian shooting championship in November 2017. It enabled India in getting quota for youth Olympics. On the basis of this selection, he went on to win a silver medal in the third youth Olympics held in Argentina.
He won a gold medal for India in the shooting championship held in Hanover, Germany in 2019. He also won a gold and a bronze medal in Asian shooting championship, Doha in November 2019.
Owing to his sterling show in 2019, he has secured a berth for himself in the Indian team that will take part in the world shooting championship, Delhi on March 20, 2020.
Uptill now, Mane has to his credit 52 medals, including 10 international medals.
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