USA
The Mallakhamb Federation of USA (MFU), headquartered in Edison, NJ, made an announcement on June 13, 2023, revealing that their team secured 2nd place (Silver) at the 2nd World Mallakhamb Championships held in Dhubri Assam from May 9-12, 2023. Representing the United States, the team comprised 12 athletes and 2 coaches who competed against 11 other countries to earn the silver medal.
Mallakhamb, an ancient Indian sport, combines the essence of yoga, gymnastics, and martial arts. The sport has been rapidly gaining popularity worldwide, according to the MFU’s press release, emphasizing its effectiveness in enhancing strength, flexibility, and balance. Mallakhamb routines are performed either on a pole or a rope, where athletes execute aerial yoga or gymnastic postures and incorporate wrestling grips. Their performance is evaluated based on a gymnastics-like point scale, considering factors such as difficulty, execution, and grace.
Chinmay Patankar, the founder and treasurer of MFU, expressed his delight regarding the team’s accomplishments at the World Championships. In the press release, he is quoted as saying, “We are thrilled with our team’s performance at the World Championships. Our athletes dedicated themselves to rigorous training for this competition, and despite the challenges posed by jet lag and harsh weather conditions, they achieved an outstanding result.”
A team of 6 men, 6 women & 2 coaches traveled from New York to Assam with over 36 hours of journey to participate in World Championship. The team is used to practice indoors in temperatures under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, the competition was held outdoor in peak summer months in India with temperatures at almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit, organizers said.
“The team did a fantastic job winning a silver medal competing with 11 countries,” MFU asserted.
Edison, NJ Mayor Sam Joshi, and Edison Municipal District Council Board recently recognized this achievement. Also, recognition to the Team USA, Mallakhamb Federation of USA was given by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the press release said.
A team of 6 men, 6 women & 2 coaches traveled from New York to Assam with over 36 hours of journey to participate in World Championship. The team is used to practice indoors in temperatures under 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, the competition was held outdoors in peak summer months in India with temperatures at almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit, organizers said.
“The team did a fantastic job winning a silver medal competing with 11 countries,” MFU asserted.
Edison, NJ Mayor Sam Joshi, and Edison Municipal District Council Board recently recognized this achievement. Also, recognition to the Team USA, Mallakhamb Federation of USA was given by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, the press release said.
The USA team won several Team and Individual medals at this competition including –
Men’s Championship –Team: Silver Medal
- Individual Medals
o Dheen Jayadevan – Pole Short Set: Bronze Medal
o Adwait Kulkarni – Pole Long Set: Bronze Medal
o Adwait Kulkarni – Rope Short Set: Bronze Medal
o Adwait Kulkarni – Rope Long Set: Bronze Medal
o Adwait Kulkarni – All Around Championship: Bronze Medal
Women’s Championship
- Team: Silver Medal
- Individual Medals
o Rucha Kulkarni – Pole Short Set: Bronze Medal
o Rucha Kulkarni – Pole Long Set: Bronze Medal
o Gargie Patil – Rope Short Set: Bronze Medal
o Apurva Chaudhari – Rope Long Set: Bronze Medal
o Rucha Kulkarni – All Around Championship: Bronze Medal
The MFU team was led by their coaches – Pradnya Patankar & Mandar Patil. Pradnya Patankar has been training with Mallakhamb since she was 12 years old, and she has won numerous medals at national competitions. Mandar Patil is a certified yoga instructor and has been coaching Mallakhamb in Edison for more than 6 years.
The Team roster included mostly teenage athletes who demonstrated exceptional resiliency and proficiency in the sport during the competitions, MFU said. It will be having a special celebration on July 8, of its good performance at the World Championships.
The Team USA athletes included –
Men’s Team — Women’s Team
Dheen Jaydevan — Rucha Kulkarni
Adwait Kulkarni — Apurva Chaudhari
Shloke Chaudhari — Mrunal Patil
Ojas Upadhye — Shreya Patankar
Sanket Bakshi — Gargie Patil — Arusha Bakshi
