- 18-year-old becomes Gujarat’s first-ever female medalist at Senior WAG Nationals
- Uneven Bars brilliance powered by highest execution score in the final
- Triumph follows 18-month comeback from ACL and meniscus surgery setback
- Eyes now on Commonwealth Games 2030 as Gujarat’s gymnastics momentum surges
NE SPORTS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAY 5
In a breakthrough moment for Gujarat’s sporting history, Diya Thakore scripted a landmark achievement by clinching Silver in the Uneven Bars event at the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) National Championship 2026 in Bhubaneswar—becoming the first-ever female gymnast from the state to win a medal at the Senior National level.
Precision Under Pressure
Delivering a performance defined by composure and technical finesse, Diya secured an overall score of 10.533, highlighted by a Difficulty (D) score of 2.6 and a remarkable Execution (E) score of 7.933—the highest execution score recorded in the final.
The gold was claimed by Odisha’s Tannu, while Amani Dilshad of Kerala secured bronze in a closely contested event.
Comeback That Defined Character
Diya’s podium finish is even more inspiring given her journey back from a career-threatening injury. In September 2024, she suffered a severe ACL and Meniscus injury, followed by surgery and an intense 18-month rehabilitation phase.
“The last year and a half was the toughest period of my life, but my determination to win for Gujarat kept me going,” said an emotional Diya Thakore.
“This silver is just the beginning. My ultimate sights are set on winning the Gold at the 2030 Commonwealth Games for my state and my country.”
Groomed for Greatness
Training under Harish Chandera at the CN Sports Academy, Diya’s rise reflects both individual resilience and structured coaching excellence.
Her success also capped a strong outing for Gujarat, with the Senior Women’s team finishing 6th overall at the national championship.
A New Benchmark for Gujarat
Kaushik Bidiwala, Secretary General of the Gujarat Gymnastics Association, hailed the achievement: “This is a historic moment for us. Diya’s medal is a result of years of discipline and the unwavering support of her coaches and the District Gymnastic Association. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics is witnessing a surge in popularity in Gujarat, and Diya has now set the gold standard for aspiring athletes in our state.”
As Gujarat steps up investments in sports infrastructure and talent development, Diya Thakore’s silver medal stands as a defining milestone—one that could inspire a new generation of gymnasts to aim higher on the national and global stage.
