Gymnastics is called the mother of sports requiring a perfect combination of balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and endurance to execute a typical pattern of exercises that combine grace and mathematical precision in an aesthetic form for its spectators. If mastered well, it can help you do any other sports easily. Gymnastics evolved from ancient Greek exercises including skills for mounting and dismounting a horse, and from circus performance skills. Gymnastics as a sport originated in Sparta and Athens in ancient Greece. The most common form of competitive gymnastics is artistic gymnastics which has floor exercises, vault, uneven bars and balancing beam for women and for men the events are floor exercises, vault, Roman rings, pommel horse, parallel bars and horizontal bar. The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is the body governing all recognised disciplines of competitive gymnastics: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampolining, tumbling, acrobatic, aerobic and parkour.
Other than this, Rhythmic Gymnastics combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, dance and apparatus manipulation. It includes five separate routines performed with the use of five apparatus –ball, ribbon, hoop, clubs and rope on a floor area with more emphasis on the aesthetic rather than acrobatic. Presently, the rope event has been excluded. The biggest events for Rhythmic Gymnastics are the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships, World-Cup and Grand-Prix series.
Rituparna Chatterjee is a trained Artistic and Rhythmic gymnast, fencer, painter and travel enthusiast. A national gold medalist in Artistic Gymnastics, Rituparna joined Gymnastics training at a very tender age while also pursuing her academics from the Girls’ High School and College, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. She has done her Masters in Psychology from the University of Allahabad (a central university). Rituparna’s first National Gold Medal, when she was in the 5th standard, came in the 19th Sub Junior Gymnastics Championship in Mumbai organised by Maharashtra Amateur Gymnastics Association in 2005. This marked the beginning of her journey of national achievements. Her other medal winning national participations include the following: All India Grand Millenium Masters Gymnastics Championship in 2005 jointly organised by Gymnastics Federation of India and National Sports Academy, Allahabad, 48th All India Junior National Gymnastics Championship in 2007 organized by Jalpaiguri District Gymnastics Association (West Bengal), 49th Junior National Gymnastics Championship in 2008 organized by Orissa Gymnastics Association (Cuttack), 54th National School Games Gymnastics Championship in 2008 organized by the Dept. of School Education (Andhra Pradesh). Rituparna has been a Rhythmic Gymnastics performer in the International event–2nd South Central Asian Gymnastics Championship in 2005 jointly organised by Gymnastics Federation of India and National Sports Academy, Allahabad. Rituparna has also been a rank holder in various events in numerous Uttar Pradesh State Gymnastics Championships and has attended a National Level Gymnastics Camp in Balewadi Stadium in Pune in 2009.
Rituparna’s co-participant in the Jalpaiguri National Championship had been Olympic Gymnast Ms. Deepa Karmakar. She has also been featured with Arjun Awardee gymnast and Commonwealth bronze medalist Mr. Ashish Kumar on the Souvenir cover of 21st National Sub Junior Gymnastics Championship, 2007.
Rituparna gives all credit to gymnastics for helping her train and discipline her body and mind to focus and perfect the finer aspects of any education for a great achievement.
Furthermore, Rituparna ‘s training by Indian and foreign coaches and her participation in national and international events have, according to her, been instrumental in both understanding and grasping various performance techniques and exposing her to an interesting cross-cultural exchange while interacting with regional and foreign gymnasts.
Rituparna gratefully recounts her family support and enthusiasm that has motivated her throughout her sporting journey. She has been immensely inspired by her Late grandfather, Dr. S.K. Bhattacharyya, a renowned medical practitioner of Allahabad. Himself a fitness enthusiast, he had instilled in her, since childhood, the importance of fitness for every individual.
Rituparna’s message for everyone is to follow a regular fitness regime even amidst the mundane routine of life as disciplining your body helps you to discipline your mind as well for hardwork that is the key to bigger achievements and glory.
For more information and related videos follow her on Instagram: iam_r_i_t_u_p_a_r_n_a
And also visit her performance link on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4gK4rmAmuoY
