Budda Aruna Reddy (born 25 December 1995) is an Indian female artistic gymnast, representing at international competitions. She won bronze medal in 2018 World Cup Gymnastics in women's vault event in Melbourne. She created history by becoming the first Indian to clinch a medal at Gymnastics World Cup. She competed at world championships, including the 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium.[2] She is supported by GoSports Foundation through the Rahul Dravid athlete mentorship programme.

Aruna Reddy
Full nameBudda Aruna Reddy
Country representedIndia
Born (1995-12-25) 25 December 1995 (age 28)
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India
ResidenceHyderabad, Telangana, India
Height4 ft 8 in (142 cm)[1]
DisciplineWomen's artistic gymnastics
LevelSenior International Elite
(India national team)
Years on national team2013
College teamSt. Mary's College, Hyderabad
Medal record
Representing  India
Women's artistic gymnastics
Artistic Gymnastics World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Melbourne Vault

Early life

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Aruna Reddy was born in Hyderabad, Telangana to Subadhra and Narayana Reddy, an accountant. She has an elder sister, Pavani Reddy, a Company Secretary.[3] She completed her Intermediate from St Mary's Junior College, Basheerbagh in 2013[4] and B.Com from St. Mary's College, Hyderabad in 2017.[5] She has black belt in karate and was a trainer until she joined gymnastics.

Early Gymnastics Career

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When Aruna Reddy was five years old, her father pulled her out of karate and enrolled her in gymnastics, when he spotted that she had the flexibility and build for a gymnast. Her father then enrolled Aruna under the tutelage of coaches, Swarnalatha and Ravinder at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad.

Swarnalatha's husband Giriraj took Aruna under his wings after noticing her talent. Giriraj died in an accident in 2008 and Aruna has since been training under coach Brij Kishore with whom she won medals at three National Games of India.

International Gymnastics career

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Aruna participated in the World Championships in 2013, 2014 2017, & 2019 at Antwerp, Nanning, Montreal, & Stuttgart respectively, but failed to progress beyond the qualifying rounds.[6]

World cup bronze medal

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She competed at the 2018 Gymnastics World Cup and created history after becoming the first Indian to win a medal in an individual event at the Gymnastics World Cup by claiming a bronze medal in the women's individual vault event.[7][8]

Aruna dedicated her win to her late father who inspired her to realize her potential. She received ₹2 crore cash award from the Chief Minister of Telangana,[9] K. Chandrashekar Rao for her feat.

Aruna has won Two Gold Medals in the Table vault and Floor Events in the EGYPTIAN PHARAOHS CUP 2021, held in Cairo, Egypt from 17th – 19th December, 2021.

References

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  1. ^ "BUDDA REDDY Aruna". Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2018.
  2. ^ "2013 World Gymnastics Championships athletes - Aruna Budda Reddy". longinestiming.com. Retrieved 27 January 2016.
  3. ^ Aruna Budda Reddy: Father's commitment helps Aruna clinch top honours | More sports News - Times of India
  4. ^ "Budda Aruna Reddy, treasure in the vault". Deccan Chronicle. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  5. ^ Subrahmanyam, V. v (24 February 2018). "Hyderabadi gymnast vaults into big league". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  6. ^ "Aruna Budda Reddy: All you need to know about India's first Gymnastics World Cup medallist - Firstpost". www.firstpost.com. 25 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Gymnastics World Cup 2018: Aruna Reddy wins bronze medal for India in vault". 24 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Aruna Budda Reddy clinches bronze at 2018 Gymnastics World Cup". India Today. 24 February 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  9. ^ KCR announces Rs 2 cr prize money for gymnast Aruna