Indian Junior Gymnast Clinches Gold Medal at DTB Stuttgart International Gymnastics Challenge Cup 2026
Prayagraj: Harschit Damodharan, a Class 12 student of KhelGaon Public School Prayagraj, has brought laurels to the nation at the DTB Stuttgart International Gymnastics Challenge Cup 2026, held in Stuttgart, Germany. He secured the top position in the Men’s Junior Vault Final with a score of 13.666, etching a new chapter in the history of Indian gymnastics.
Outstanding Performance at the Competition: Harschit stepped onto the vault runway at Porsche Arena and, with a score of 13.666, not only won the competition but also surpassed athletes from countries with strong gymnastics traditions such as Hungary, the United States, Ukraine, Mexico, and Turkey. Hungary’s Aron Zsolt Horvath finished in second place with 13.483 points.
The Pride of Prayagraj — HarschitDamodharan: Harschit Damodharan is a Class 12 student at KhelGaon Public School Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He is coached by Mr. Raja Babu, affiliated with the National Sports Academy, Prayagraj. As a foreign expert, Mr. Yin Eloy Alvarez from the United States guided his preparation. This achievement is a historic moment for Uttar Pradesh and Indian gymnastics.
The Chairman of KhelGaon Public School Prayagraj, Dr. U.K. Mishra, Vice Chairman Mr. Anil Mishra, and Director Mr. C.P. Yadav have congratulated HarschitDamodharan on this outstanding achievement. Dr. U.K. Mishra stated that Harschit has not only brought glory to the school, but has also honoured all of Prayagraj and Uttar Pradesh on the international stage.
What This Achievement Means for Indian Gymnastics: India’s journey in artistic gymnastics at the international level has been advancing slowly but confidently. Harschit’s performance is a significant milestone — an Indian junior gymnast not only participated, but topped the scoreboard against the world’s best junior vaulters. This achievement will serve as an inspiration for young athletes across the country. “With dedication and the right support, India’s youth can compete — and win — on the world stage.”
About the DTB Stuttgart International Gymnastics Challenge Cup: The DTB Stuttgart International Gymnastics Challenge Cup is one of Europe’s most prestigious annual gymnastics invitational events. The competition is organised under the auspices of DTB at the world-class Porsche Arena in Stuttgart. This year, gymnasts from the world’s top nations — including the USA, China, Japan, Ukraine, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Hungary, and India — participated in this prestigious event.
