Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak is aiming to emulate her inspiration, Dipa Karmakar, at the Commonwealth Games beginning in Gold Coast from April 4.
Turning 23 on the day of the preliminary round, Pranati will look to make the finals and emulate Dipa, who won a historic bronze in Glasgow four years ago.
A three-member women's artistic contingent led by Aruna Reddy hopes to fill in the void created by Dipa, who could not get fit in time for the Games.
"I've been training with her for a long time. The way she puts in hard work is really inspiring. Who does not wish to be like Dipa didi? I hope my birthday turns out to be special," Pranati told PTI from New Delhi before leaving for Gold Coast.
Are the nerves getting the better of her?
"Canada, Belgium will be our strong opponents. I've been seeing videos that are available on YouTube. First aim will be to secure a place in the final. I'm not thinking too far of winning a medal right now."
"I was too small to be allotted a hostel. My father and mother used to come and stay with me in rotation, leaving my little sister at home... For weeks we slept on the floor at the Saltlake Stadium."
"I got a hostel on insistence of my coach Minara madam. Whatever I'm now it's because of Minara madam."
"I got about Rs 12 lakh in rewards and gave the money to my father to build a house... He broke down in tears, and cried like a kid! He told me 'I don't have any regret of not having a son now. My three daughters are like my three pillars'."
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