5 most promising under-16 Indian athletes

Indian sports has never lacked talent, especially at the youth level, it’s somewhere in the transition from becoming a junior to a senior player, that the infrastructural and financial problems kick in. However, post 2009 the country has experienced a sporting revolution of sorts.Several young athletes have successfully transitioned across various age groups, to defend India’s honour on the international stage. The likes of P V Sindhu, Vijender Singh, Saina Nehwal, Karun Chandhok, Virat Kohli, Yuki Bhambri have broken the age barrier to graduate to the highest level.With potential Indian sportspersons slowly getting more exposure to various training methods at a young age, the future looks bright. So, let’s have a look at the top Indian Under -16 athletes in the country.

#1 Manavaditya Singh Rathore (Shooting)

Manavaditya won gold at the Asian Shotgun Championship

It’s hard not to be under pressure, when your own father is an Olympic silver medallist. However, 14-year old Manavaditya Singh Rathore has taken the pressure into his stride with relative ease.

Son of 2004 Olympic double trap silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the 14-year old recently secured the gold medal at the junior men’s trap even of the Asian Shotgun Championship. He also represented India at the 2013 Junior World Cup.

Apart from his success at the continental level, Rathore also secured the National junior title. Looks like Manavaditya is following his father’s footsteps towards Olympic glory.

#2 Prithvi Shaw (Cricket)

Prithvi Shaw holds the record for the highest individual score in the history of organised cricket post 1901

15-year old Prithvi Shaw from Mumbai, India has a unique claim to fame. His score of 546 off 330 balls in the Harris Shield elite division is the highest individual score in the history of organised cricket, since 1901.

A right-handed batsman, Shaw’s performances have often led to a comparison with Indian cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar. He also receives sponsorship from Indian Oil, so that he can pursue his dream.

The media latched up on Shaw’s brilliant performance as it was just four days, after Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement.

Julian Wood from the Wood Cricket Academy in England was so impressed by the youngster, that he invited Shaw to train with them in England.

#3 Chitresh Tatha (Sailing)

Chitresh Tatha has already participated at the Asian Games

In 2014, India’s Chitresh Tatha created history by becoming the youngest ever sailor to participate at the Asian Games. Aged just 13, Tatha is being touted as India’s next Homi Motivala and P K Garg, who won bronze medals at the 1990 and 1994 Asian Games.

Even at such a young age, Tatha has competed in international events for the past two years. Countries such as France, UK, Malaysia, Ireland and the Netherlands have been a mainstay in his competition calendar.

He competes in the Optimist Dinghy Class.

#4 Ayush Rudraraju (Shooting)

Ayush Rudraraju is the south zone skeet national record holder

At just 13 years of age, Ayush Rudraraju from the state of Telangana, India is the youngest Olympic skeet-shooter in the country. Last year, he defied the odds to qualify for the Nationals, by setting a South zone record of 117 out 125 points.

Rudraraju’s talent also took him to the ISSF World Cup at the young age of just 12. He also holds a World Ranking of 39 and is the youngest ever athlete to participate in a ISSF competition.

The Zonal record holder was selected to represent India at the International Junior Shotgun World Cup in Finland.

#5 Saloni Dalal (Swimming)

Saloni Dalal is the youngest ever medallist at the National Games

The youngest swimmer to ever medal at the National Games, Saloni Dalal is a member of Indian swimming’s golden generation. The 12-year old won the bronze medal in the 200m backstroke event behind Gujarat’s Kalyani Saxena and Maharashtra’s Rutuja Udeshi.

She added another medal to her kitty, when Karnataka won the silver medal in the 4x100m medley with team-mates Anisha Gaonkar, Malika A Honagekar and Rutuja Pawar.

After 17-year old Aakansha Vora grabbed the top female athlete award at the National Games, Dallal could be nurtured into a future Olympian.