Persistence leads to success

Gauri Salonke from Malkapur, Buldhana, embodies the saying "slow but steady wins the race." Recently, she secured a bronze medal in the Sabre category for the Indian team at the Junior Commonwealth Fencing Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand. Her journey is a testament to consistent effort and sincere practice

- MILIND DHAMDHERE

In a sport like fencing, which is both expensive and captivating, many young Indians aspire to build their careers. Despite the challenges, Indian players, through dedication and hard work, are achieving remarkable results at global competitions. Gauri, in just 4 to 5 years, has won numerous medals, showcasing her relentless pursuit of excellence.

In an interview with Sports Champ, Gauri shared insights about her career and her future aspirations in the sport.

Switching sports early

Many athletes switch from one sport to another during the early stages of their careers, and this decision often proves beneficial. Gauri is one such athlete who transitioned from Ball Badminton to Fencing with remarkable success.

Gauri used to play Ball Badminton under the guidance of Vijay Palaskar at the Sports Zone centre while studying at Liladhar Bhojraj Chandak School. Palaskar also coached Fencing to a few budding players. Observing their skills and techniques fascinated Gauri, and she decided to pursue Fencing. At that time, she was 14 years old and in the ninth standard. Despite the academic pressure of 9th and 10th standards, her parents, both teachers, encouraged her to pursue a career in Fencing.

Overcoming initial challenges

Fencing requires a costly full kit. Initially, Gauri hired a kit for competitions. However, after she began winning medals, her parents bought her a top-quality kit. This investment marked the beginning of her journey towards national success.

For any athlete, achieving success at the national level is crucial for future career prospects. Gauri won her first medal at the national level competitions in 2018.