#MAKEACHAMP#

Hi everyone and welcome to my "Make A Champ!" campaign. My name is Sanyukta Prasen Kale  and I am a competitive Rhythmic Gymnast ( RG ) from Thane City, Maharashtra, India. My gymnastics career began when I was 5 years old as an Rhythmic Gymnast. From this young age, I developed a love for this women-only sport and have been committing a great deal of time and effort to improve my skills to become India’s top RG player and wish to represent India in Common Wealth Games, World Championships and ultimately bring home a Olympic gold by 2024 for India.

I am 12 years old. Over the past 7 years while training at Phoenix Gymnastics Academy, I have gone from being a provincial rhythmic gymnast to a national rhythmic gymnast and have had the opportunity to begin competing internationally as well. In 2016, I won my first international medals 2 Silver and 1 bronze in the Vitrigo Invitational International Competition held at Malaysia.  Additionally in the  month of June’18, I  represented India at the Uzbekistan Gymnastics International Championships where I won All Round Bronze Medal.

I contribute my success till date to my Guru Miss Pooja Shriniwas Surve, herself an International Player, FIG International Judge, Coach and Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee, in the discipline of Rhythmic Gymnastics, and founder of Phoenix Gymnastics Academy and also an active trustee member of POOJA TRUST which was constituted in the year 2013 with the sole purpose of “Empowering Girls through power of sport”- the trust’s mission, my parents who have gone beyond there means to fund my dream and also my lovely team mates who have supported me at all times.

My Guru :

I have also attended three intensive training programs in Uzbekistan over the last two years  Here is a small clip of our international training camp:


In addition to the above international exposure since 2012, I have always remained a national champion under my respective age group till date. A brief summary of my achievements since 2012 as summarized below.

Competition- Domestic Level	Gold	Silver	Bronze
Federation – National Level	8	4	0
Federation – State Level	30	2	0
School – National 2017 & 2018	7	2	0
School – State 2017 & 2018	10	0	0
School (CBSE) Nationals 2016  2017 & 2018	11	2	0
Total	66	10	0

Rhythmic Gymnastics is not a popular sport in India because of lack of funding and adequate sports facilities and most importantly the high costs involved in training to compete at international level. A typical average expense for a gymnast to aspire to become a international player can easily run up to INR 25 lakhs per year at a minimum which includes advanced facilities, International apparatus & coaching from International coaches and participation in various International Invitational competitions which would give me the right exposure as a build up towards my goal of winning medals for India at the highest professional level.  I love this sport and I would NOT like to just be a national champion. I need support form my community as well and which is why I am here to share my dream and keep all of you engaged till 2024 Olympics. Further I would also like to empower other girls like me to take up this beautiful sport and make it popular across India.

Since its inception in 2012, Phoenix Gymnastics Academy within a short period of just 5 years have won more than 500 gold, silver and bronze medals at the federation and school national competitions till date. I am proud to be part of this Academy which is like my second school and has taught me so much about myself, such as my strengths and weaknesses, and how hard I can push myself physically and mentally to achieve my dream.

As I embark towards this journey to the podium! 2019-20 competition season is in front of me and I am planning to attended one international level invitational competition this March 2019 in Tallinn, Estonia  as a short term goal to gain experience as per FIG standards and evaluate and rank  myself internationally. The costs are running up to INR 3 Lakhs which includes my travel and accommodation expenses, as well as competition fees and FIG approved apparatus costs leading up to these event.

All contributions would go directly to POOJA TRUST through which Phoenix Gymnastics Academy will manage my expenses. By supporting me today, you are investing into something bigger than just a fundraiser. You're changing my life and also Empowering Other Young Indian Girls through power of sport.   I would also really appreciate your help by sharing my campaign with your family and friends across India and abroad. Thank you for your support and I am excited to start my journey with you all!

- Sanyukta Kale