Khelo India 2025: Gymnast Ashish Kumar, the trailblazer who carved his name into Indian sporting history with a silver and bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, has delivered a stirring message to the next generation of male gymnasts: no scheme, no platform, not even Khelo India can replace inner desire.
The 34-year-old Asian Games medallist believes that while the infrastructure and support have improved drastically, the hunger to excel must burn from within. Speaking on the sidelines of the gymnastics events at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar, Ashish expressed cautious optimism.
Now a vital part of the Sports Authority of India’s Talent Identification and Development Committee (TIDC), he is focused on unearthing raw talent and preparing them for the rigours of elite sport.
“Now the onus is on the players, coaches, and the Federation to tap into this success and take it further. They have to ensure next-level performance,” said Ashish, whose legacy continues to inspire young gymnasts from Prayagraj to Patna.
Indeed, the Khelo India initiative has opened doors for teenage gymnasts like never before. But Ashish warns that raw talent alone won’t be enough. “Yes, we are seeing good performances from the athletes. But the real job starts now – proper development has to be ensured, especially among the boys,” he said.
The TIDC’s role is pivotal-scouting gymnasts and placing them in National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) as Khelo India Athletes (KIAs). Yet Ashish insists there needs to be a significant shift in how young gymnasts, especially those under 14, are trained.
“At that age, the body recovers quickly. Therefore, from the initial years itself, we have to stress on increasing their loading capacity with proper strength and conditioning schedule. If we keep things light early on, then by 25, their body won’t be able to handle the load,” he explained.
Ashish also reflected on his own journey under the intense mentorship of foreign coach Vladimir Chertkov. “When we were at the CWG camp in 2010, coach Vladimir made us push our limits. He taught us how crucial it was to have a body capable of handling repeated strain. Like in an exam, you memorise something 20-30 times for perfection. In gymnastics, it’s the same – you repeat movements till your body owns them,” he recalled.
While female gymnasts have made recent strides, Ashish believes male gymnasts still lag behind. “Improvement is needed in male gymnastics. We’ve seen success among women recently, but men have a long way to go. That’s where Khelo India can make the biggest impact – by identifying boys with potential and making them long-term athletes,” he said.
However, he firmly believes that even the best facilities mean nothing without passion. “The fire must come from within. You can give players the best facilities and equipment, but if they don’t have that fire inside to achieve something bigger – like an international medal – nothing works. Many just feel content after getting a national medal. That mindset has to change,” Ashish concluded.
As India’s young gymnasts soar on the springboard of Khelo India, Ashish Kumar’s message rings clear: medals begin not on the mat, but in the mind.