Ayushka Gadekar from Washim wins gold at Asian Wrestling Championship

By Ram Dhangar:

WASJIM,

WASHIM’S very own Ayushka Pandurang Gadekar has won a gold medal at the Asian Wrestling Championships in Sriracha, Thailand. Ayushka represented India in the U-15 58 kg category competition and defeated Dilnura Avezova of Uzbekistan in a thrilling final. Hailing from a small village of Jaipur in Washim district, Ayushka is a student of Swami Vivekananda Junior College, Kokalgaon and is the daughter of renowned wrestler Pandurang Gadekar. Her siblings Arjun Gadekar and Kalyani Gadekar are also renowned national level wrestlers. Earlier, Ayushaka has brought laurels to Washim district by winning medals in various national level tournaments. This year, she won gold medals in the under-15 championship in Noida (UP). In 2022, she won silver medals in the Grand Prix 1 in Gonda (UP) and Jhajjar (Haryana) and a bronze medal in the Ranchi meet. Her success is being applauded by everyone in the district. Congratulations are pouring in for the Gadekar family who has once again made the district very proud.

Another inspiring ‘Dangal’ in Washim’s backyard

WHILE we were all moved by the inspiring story of the Phogat family as depicted in the 2016 film ‘Dangal’, little did we realise that in a small village in Jaipur, Washim district, such an inspiring attempt was being made to shape children into champions who defied all odds. The Gadekar family is a family of achievers. Their journey has been one of resilience and determination. Ayushka’s father Pandurang Gadekar, though a farmer with a small plot of land, was himself a renowned wrestler in Washim district. Her mother Kanchan Gadekar was also an accomplished kabaddi player. Their three children – Arjun, Kalyani and Ayushka – not only inherited their parents’ passion for sports and determination to excel, but also received constant encouragement, support and guidance to excel in wrestling. No wonder all three children are champions in their own right. Arjun, the eldest of three children, has won a gold medal in the Khelo India Wrestling Tournament. Kalyani, Ayushka’s elder sister, has also won national gold medals in wrestling. Ayushka’s latest triumph on the international stage has added another glorious chapter to the family’s contribution to wrestling.