In a historic milestone for Gujarat’s sporting landscape, 18-year-old Diya Thakore clinched a Silver Medal on the Uneven Bars event at the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) National Championship 2026, held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. With this feat, Diya becomes the first-ever female gymnast from Gujarat to stand on the podium at the Senior National level.
A Masterclass in Precision Representing the state with poise and technical excellence, Diya secured an overall score of 10.533. While the competition was neck-and-neck, Diya’s performance was marked by a Difficulty (D) score of 2.6 and a staggering Execution (E) score of 7.933, the highest execution score recorded in the entire final, underscoring her form and technique.
The Gold medal was claimed by Odisha’s Tannu, while Amani Dilshad of Kerala took home the Bronze.
The Comeback Trail: From Surgery tothePodium Diya’s journey to the silver medal is a testament to her grit. In September 2024, her career faced a major setback following a severe ACL and Meniscus injury. After a major surgery and a gruelling 18-month rehabilitation and strengthening program, many doubted a return to peak form.
“The last year and a half was the toughest period of my life, but my determination to win for Gujarat kept me going,” said an emotional Diya Thakore. “This silver is just the beginning. My ultimate sights are set on winning the Gold at the 2030 Commonwealth Games for my state and my country.”
A Rising Power in Gymnastics Diya trains under the expert guidance of Coach Harish Chandera at the CN Sports Academy in Ahmedabad. Her individual success was mirrored by a strong collective performance from the Gujarat Senior Women’s team, which secured a respectable 6th position overall at the National event.
Mr. Kaushik Bidiwala, Secretary General of the Gujarat Gymnastics Association, lauded the achievement:”This is a historic moment for us. Diya’s medal is a result of years of discipline and the unwavering support of her coaches and the District Gymnastic Association. Women’s Artistic Gymnastics is witnessing a surge in popularity in Gujarat, and Diya has now set the gold standard for aspiring athletes in our state.”
As Gujarat continues to invest in sports infrastructure and talent identification, Diya Thakore’s silver medal serves as a beacon of hope for the next generation of gymnasts ready to make their mark on the national and international stage.