World Cup finalist Rakesh Patra overlooked for CWG gymnastics squad to travel to Gold Coast

03/05/2018

Rings and bars specialist Rakesh Patra has spent the last seven weeks coming to terms with the fact that he is likely to be omitted from the Commonwealth Games-bound gymnastics squad. Patra entered the trials on only 3 of 6 apparatus unaware that the criterion would be based on all round scores.

Gymnast Rakesh Patra had been tipped for great things after his recent display in the finals of the World Cup just like co-patriots Dipa Karmakar and Ashish Kumar had done at 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games respectively. Patra was among the only four Indians to make it to the finals of the World Cup.

Patra’s score and skills on the rings and bars made him a potential contender for a finals spot at next months competition, as he has easily been the best male gymnast at Asian and International competitions off late. However, despite Patra’s achievements, the odds are against him in the race for the CWG 2018 Gold Coast.

The selection committee, which consisted of head coach GS Bawa, SAI project officer IS Pabla, and chairperson Sunaina Kumari, have not yet revealed the final squad to travel to Gold Coast. The team is expected to be made public in the next two days as March 7 is the last date to send in the final list of gymnasts. And with Patra entering the trials in only three of six apparatus unaware that the criterion would be based on all round scores, there is no window to make changes.

“A clear and definite selection criteria was not declared and published in advance causing unwarranted uncertainty and hardships to the gymnasts. We now realise that the names were sent to the officials but were withheld from the gymnasts and public. Announcing on the last day means there’s no chance to correct,” Patra’s coach Mishra wrote in a letter penned to the IOA as per Indian Express reports.

Patra has been dedicating his time in the Rings and the Parallel Bars – two punishing apparatus which would need tremendous focus and strength and has topped the scores on both apparatus (13.70 on Rings and 14.05 on Bars). However, he entered the trials only on three of the six apparatus at the event, as he was unaware that scores from all six apparatus would be considered for selection purposes.

“Had he known, Rakesh would’ve easily given trials for All Around and made the cut. He won the All Around title with 77.75 at Hong Kong International this January and was India’s best All Around finisher at Glasgow. Rakesh is strong on all apparatus and had he not focused on individual events where a medal might come he’d have aced All Around too and helped the Indian team,”

“But let’s be honest. Even he was only 14th (score of 77.431, and 10.534 points off the medal score) with a top Indian score at Glasgow. If you look at the trial scores, all Indians are at least 10 points away from an All Around medal and many more points away from a team medal. India has always sent gymnasts who have a chance on individual apparatus. We’ve done well there, and current scores don’t hint at any significant chance in All Around,” Mishra added.

World Cup finalist Rakesh Patra overlooked for CWG gymnastics squad to travel to Gold Coast

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