Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Nov 6: Anya Maria D'Souza, a 14-year-old gymnast and student of St Joseph's School CBSE, Bengaluru, has secured 3rd place at the recently concluded Karnataka state selections for the National Gymnastics Championship. The competition was held at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium, Mysuru, and organized by the Gymnast Association of Karnataka. With this achievement, Anya has qualified to represent Karnataka in the Juniors category at the nationals, which will take place in Surat, Gujarat, in December.
Anya, currently in the 8th standard, has received strong support from her school, which has encouraged her athletic pursuits. She has been training at RnRfit, Bengaluru, for the past nine years, with recent guidance from coaches Ardhendu Das and Megha Ambli, and mentorship from Sanjivani Purnapatre.
With coach Megha Ambli
With coach Ardhendu Das
Subjuniors gymnastics Championship 22-23
Parents and brother Arjun
Her parents, Arun and Reshma, share deep roots in Mangaluru. Anya's maternal grandfather, Arthur D'Silva, hailed from Kallianpur, while her maternal grandmother, Lola D'Silva, is from Mangaluru. On her father’s side, Anya's paternal grandfather is part of the notable PG D'Souza family of Bengaluru, which also has Mangalurean origins. Her paternal grandmother, Sarah D'Souza (née Alleluia), was from Bolar, Pandeshwar.
Anya has previously brought accolades to Karnataka in national competitions. In 2022-23, she was part of the Karnataka sub-junior team that won a bronze medal in the Team Championship. Last year, in her debut in the juniors category, she placed 22nd overall in India and 2nd in Karnataka.
Anya’s dedication and continued success highlight her promise as an athlete and mark her as a gymnast to watch in the upcoming National Championship.