Two young talented sailors from Hyderabad – Rishab Nayar and Juhi Desai – have achieved the rare distinction of breaking into the top five in the Asian Federation regatta championship for juniors and sub-juniors.
The two sailors, who set a record by becoming national champions in the same category last year, are the best hopes in water sports from the city. Significantly, Rishab, after winning the Monsoon Regatta recently, finished fifth in the Abu Dhabi Asian meet. “Three capsizes and the light and fluke winds gave the locals huge advantage and dashed my medal hopes,” says Rishab.
Rishab, who won his first major silver medal at the age of 12 in the Monsoon Regetta in the city before stepping in the laser category, has still a few years left in this category to keep improving and make a bigger impact. In fact, Rishab broke the record of Arjun Pradipak of being the youngest junior national champion at the age of 14 last December.
On the other hand, Juhi Desai, at 13, is also steadily charting her own course to stardom in the waters and is now No. 5 in Asia, braving “confusing wind and tide conditions in Abu Dhabi.”
“I need to focus on understanding the tide and work hard on my fitness levels as I target a medal in Asian meet next year,” says the Delhi Public School student who is now training in Malta along with her brother Tanishq.
“Two No.5 spots at the Asian Federation Cup at Abu Dhabi is proof of the scientific coaching we give to the young talent at Yacht Club of Hyderabad to about 30 kids,” says a pleased Suheim Sheikh, chief coach and founder president of Yacht Club.
Rishab Nayar and Juhi Desai break into top five in the Asian Federation regatta championship
