Telangana CM announces Rs 2 cr for gymnast Aruna Reddy

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao has announced a cash prize of Rs two crore to Buddha Aruna Reddy, who won a historic bronze medal at the recently-concluded World Gymnastics Tournament in Melbourne.

The Chief Minister congratulated and felicitated the gymnast for her historic win at an event here in Pragati Bhavan on Sunday.

In addition, Aruna’s coach Brij Kishore would also be given some assistance.

State Sports Minister Padma Rao, Telangana Sports Authority Chairman A Venkateswar Reddy, Aruna’s mother Subhadramma and her sister Pavani were also present at the felicitation programme.

Aruna left an inedible mark in the annals of Indian sports history by winning a bronze medal in the women’s vault event of Gymnastic World Cup on February 28.

The 22-year-old finished third with an average score of 13.699 following her two attempts in the women’s vault event. Slovenia’s Tjasa Kysslef picked gold with a score of 13.800 and Emily White ahead of Australia took home silver after her best score of 13.699.

Aruna, who is also a part of the Indian gymnastics contingent, which will participate in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia in April, won her first National medal in 2005.

Subsequently, she made a 14th-place finish in the qualification round of the vault apparatus at the 2014 Commonwealth Games before finishing at the ninth spot at the Asian Games same year. (ANI)