14-year-old Rishab shatters 18-year sailing jinx

It took the staying prowess of young city lad Rishab Nayar, who bravely weathered many a windy handicap to end an 18-year jinx that had engulfed the State.

He recreated history and brought cheer to Telangana Sailing Association (TSA) when he won the Gold in the recent Youth Nationals at the India International Regatta off the coast of Chennai. To demonstrate that it was no flash of isolated brilliance, Rishab also landed up with silver in what has become a historic outing for the State.

To the old-timers, his achievements revived memories of an equally absorbing day when back in 1995, a prodigiously gifted rising sensation from the city Arjun Pradipak trumped in the Youth Nationals when he was all of 16!

Making the latest achievement that much more phenomenal is the fact that Rishab is a bubbling 14-year-old. Rishab, who aggregated 26 points was a clear winner over the second placed local hope, Vishnu Sujeesh, who managed 36 points.

According to Suheim Sheikh, his mentor for all practical purposes, the youngster ‘will go places’ considering that he is eligible to compete in the youth category for another four years.

Rishab took to sailing by a stroke of luck and a click of the mouse. Searching for ‘sailing’ on Google was almost like his hour of reckoning because he was so transformed that compelled his rather perplexed parents to take him to the doorstep of Yacht Club of Hyderabad at the picturesque Sanjeevaiah Park from Nizampet here they were residing.

Looking back to the four years since his tryst with destiny, the two-hour trip to the Club has been worth its weight in gold. His well-wishers and coaches are hoping that in course of time, it will turn into platinum.

Showing a sympathetic humane side, which bears the hallmark of a matured individual, Rishab explains in an emotion-ridden voice, ‘I am deeply saddened by the destruction in Chennai that occurred soon after our event. I pray that normalcy is restored.’