Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak won the bronze medal in the Vault Final at the 2025 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in Jecheon, South Korea, with a score of 13.466. This is her third bronze at the Asian Championships, making her the most decorated Indian gymnast in this event, surpassing Dipa Karmakar’s record of one gold and one bronze.
Fellow Indian gymnast Protistha Samanta finished fourth with a score of 13.016. The competition took place from June 12 to 15, 2025, featuring top gymnasts from across Asia, including veteran Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan.
Pranati’s Vault Mastery and Coach’s Praise
Pranati Nayak’s bronze-winning routine included two vaults: the Tsukahara 720 Twist with fixed landing and the Handspring Pike Salto with a 360-degree turn, the latter recently added to her repertoire. Her coach, Ashok Mishra, highlighted her excellent physical and mental condition, noting her confidence and speed during podium training sessions.
Mishra expressed satisfaction with her improved leg strength and flawless execution on the final day, which contributed significantly to her podium finish. Protistha Samanta’s strong performance, finishing just shy of a medal, further underscores India’s rising stature in Asian gymnastics.
Background and Significance
Pranati Nayak has steadily built her international reputation, having previously won bronze medals at the Asian Championships in 2019 and 2022 and two FIG World Cup bronze medals, including one earlier this year in Antalya, Turkey.
She represented India at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is only the second Indian female gymnast to qualify for the Games. Her consistent performances have helped elevate Indian gymnastics on the continental stage, breaking ground beyond the achievements of pioneers like Dipa Karmakar. The Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships serve as a crucial platform for gymnasts to gain experience and qualify for global events.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Pranati Nayak’s achievement exemplifies the power of perseverance and dedication in Indian sports, especially in disciplines that receive limited mainstream attention. Her success should inspire increased support and investment in gymnastics and other niche sports, fostering an environment where talent can flourish with empathy and encouragement.
Celebrating such milestones promotes a culture of kindness and collective pride, urging society to nurture athletes holistically. How can we, as a community, contribute to creating sustained opportunities for athletes like Pranati and Protistha to thrive and inspire future generations?
