5 Under-20 athletes who are taking Indian sports to another level

We all wish to live in an idealistic society which appreciates the passion and enthusiasm of the youth but also respects the wisdom that comes with age and experience. With every passing year, new athletes arrive on the big stage as they look forward to making their mark.

2020 has the Olympic Games lined up, which means that the new generation will have many opportunities to make the nation proud and give us our 'new gen stars'. Recently we have observed some spectacular performances by young athletes of the country in the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year.

We spoke to a few of them, let's see what they have to share with us about being India's future champions;

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#1 Shardul Vihan (Shooting)

Shardul was the youngest shooter in the Indian Shooting Team for the Asian Games 2018

This 15-year-old boy turned all heads towards him after he won the silver medal at the Asian Games 2018.

"I was expecting Gold but I am really happy with the Silver."

He won Gold at the ISSF World Shotgun Championship in 2017 (Junior Team) and another Gold at the International Junior Grand Prix, Suhl in 2017.

"I started playing nationals at the age of 11, at the initial days I played cricket and badminton, later I ended up in shooting because of my dad."

During the 61st National Shooting Championship in 2017, this teenager from Meerut, hit the headlines when he shot his way to four gold medals in a row in a single day.

"I wake up at 5 am and travel a distance of 200km to train every day. I wish to win a Gold medal for India at the Olympics," Vihan opined.

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#2 Divya Kakran (Wrestling)

Divya Kakran wins the bronze medal in wrestling at the Asian Games

"My father encouraged me to take up wrestling and supported me in every step of this journey."

She won a gold medal in the Commonwealth Championship held in South Johannesburg, Africa in December 2017. Kakran also won a silver medal in the Women's freestyle 69 kg event at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championships India.

"I got a motivational drift after watching the Commonwealth Games 2010 held in New Delhi, from then there was no stopping. It's my dream to win a medal at the Olympics for India."

#3 Manav Thakkar (Table Tennis)

Manav is the youngest paddler in the Indian Team

Manav was the youngest player in the Indian Table Tennis team at the Asian Games 2018. which won the historical first ever bronze medal for India.

"I started playing table tennis at the age of 6, we had a table at our home. My mom and dad were college players so I too started playing as a hobby. Asian Games was a very good experience for me. For me it was a dream come true."

Manav was the world number 1 player in the Under-18 category. He succeeded to qualify for Youth Olympic Games as well.

"In the next 10 years I want to perform well for India in seniors, bring medals in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Olympics and World Championships."

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#4 Srihari Nataraj (Swimming)

"I have always been inspired by Michael Phelps, I started swimming when I was two and a half years old, along with my brother and won my first medal when I was five years old."

He became the first Indian swimmer since 1986 to reach the finals of the 100m backstroke at the Asiads. He won the 100-meter Backstroke in the South Asian Aquatic Championship 2016 Colombo.

"My aim is to qualify for the Olympic Games and win a medal for India."

#5 Muskan Kirar (Archery)

This 18-year-old girl from Madhya Pradesh Archery Academy is a golden find for Indian Women's Archery. At the age of 17, she has won the 37th Sub Junior National Archery Competition held in Bhuvaneshwar. She has also won Asia Cup Stage-3 (Senior) held in Taipei, China and the Senior Asian Championship in Dhaka, both in the year 2017.

She says her dream is to win a Gold at the Olympics and create new national and international records. Muskan displayed her best performance in the Women's Compound Team event at the recent Asiads in Jakarta and won a Silver for India in the same event.