Meet Pritti Jhankaar: India's Trailblazing Gymnast Making History

A Historic Achievement for Indian Gymnastics

Bhubaneswar: In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian gymnastics, 16-year-old Pritti Jhankaar, representing the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre (HPC), has made history by becoming the first Indian female gymnast to receive the prestigious World Gymnastics Scholarship 2026.

This scholarship, awarded by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), is one of the most sought-after accolades in the sport, recognizing a select group of athletes who exhibit outstanding talent and potential on the international stage.

This year, Pritti was among just 12 gymnasts selected from 20 countries globally, and she will benefit from a scholarship worth Rs 6 lakh.

Originating from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Pritti has dedicated the last three years to training at the HPC, where she has consistently demonstrated remarkable discipline, resilience, and competitive spirit.

Throughout her training, she has amassed over 12 medals in both national and international competitions, establishing herself as one of India's most promising young gymnasts.

Her impressive journey includes accolades from significant tournaments such as the Junior Asian Championship 2025 in South Korea, the Intercontinental Cup 2025 in Portugal, and the Junior Artistic Gymnastics National Championship for the years 2024-25 and 2025-26, showcasing her skills against some of the world's top gymnasts.