Commonwealth Games 2018: Aruna Budda Reddy loses coach to stomach cancer only hours before her competition

For a sports star, it is imperative that they have a guiding light who they bank on to perform and bring back laurels to their country. Especially in a high-flying contest such as the Commonwealth Games, the coach's support and words of wisdom plays a major role in shaping the athlete's campaign.

In the case of Aruna Budda Reddy, who is set to compete in the women's artistic gymnastics event on the second day of the CWG, her campaign has been dealt with a vital blow even before it commences with her coach N Brij Kishore losing his battle to stomach cancer only hours before her competition.

Almost a couple of weeks ago, the 50-year old coach had complained of some discomfort during a training session ahead of Aruna's participation at the World Gymnastics Championship in Tashkent. Having been admitted to the hospital, he could not accompany Aruna to the athletes' village and to make matters worse, was diagnosed with stage four cancer that all but ruled out chances of him making a healthy recovery.

In a sudden turn of events, the reputed coach sadly breathed his last at the Basavatakaram Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute in Hyderabad, where he was undergoing extensive treatment, which was confirmed by a top official from the Gymnastics Federation of India to Sportskeeda who also mentioned that Aruna will continue to prepare and is set to feature in the competition.

The 50-year old had his first tryst with gymnastics when he was handed over the coach's role in 1993 by the now-defunct Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh and was one of the most prominent names in the Federation for the past few years.

Survived by his wife and two daughters, the reputed coach was paid homage by the Olympic Association of Telangana and his valiant contributions laced with the firm dedication and the spirit of the game was highlighted by the various members of the association.

With such a major blow to her campaign, we would like to wish Aruna ao that gathers enough strength to pay tribute to her coach's contributions with a strong show in her competition.