Asian Games 2018: Indian Sport Climbing squad announced in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The Indian Sport Climbing squad for the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Indonesia from August 18 was announced by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. This is the first time that a sport climbing squad will represent India in the prestigious championship.

The team comprising Karnataka's Bharath Pereira, Manipur's Maibam Chingkheinganba and Shreya Nankar from Pune in Maharashtra was selected after the national coaching camp held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. Odia climbers Anupama Swain, Rajani Bisi, Manoj Dakua and Bishnu Kolar had also taken part in the training camp.

I am delighted after getting selected for the Asian Games. I have been climbing for 13 years. We have been training hard and are in a level where we can expect a medal in the games.

--- Bharath Pereira, Indian Climber

The only woman climber in the team, Shreya Nankar, said "After five years of training as a sport climber, now I am getting a chance to play for the Country in the Asian Games. I will try to clinch a medal for sure."

American Coach Kristofer Peters and three Indian coaches imparted training to 14 climbers from all around the country. "The Indian climbers have potential of podium finish in the Asian Games as we can see good overall improvement after the training camp here," said Coach Kristofer Peters.

The coaching camp, which concluded on Wednesday, was conducted by the Indian Mountaineering Foundation along with the Sports Department of the State Government and Odisha Sport Climbing Association.