The 17-year-old Khelo India Athlete (KIA) ended her campaign, clinching four medals, including double gold and double bronze in artistic gymnastics from KIYG 2025 at the IG Stadium, New Delhi. She picked gold in the All-Around and Vaulting Table events, respectively, as well as double bronze in the Uneven Bars and Balancing Beam events.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Traditionally rooted in business and academics, Nishika\u2019s arrival in sports defied cultural norms usually associated with the Aggarwal family.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIn our Aggarwal culture, girls don\u2019t often get encouraged to pursue sports. If it wasn\u2019t for the understanding and support of my parents, I wouldn\u2019t have been here,\u201d Nishika told SAI Media. \u201cThey have never made me feel any problem in this field and have always gone out of their way to support me,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Nishika is happy to have defied expectations when she forayed into the sport at the tender age of seven. \u201cI won\u2019t judge the culture because of its thinking process, but everything changes with time. Now I believe the situation is better. I am happy that many youngsters from the Aggarwal community are taking up sports and getting encouraged, seeing what I\u2019ve achieved. Their parents are also encouraging them to get into sports. When you\u2019re supported and determined, there\u2019s nothing you can\u2019t do,\u201d the 17-year-old said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The class 12 student of Gaudium School, Telangana, began her gymnastics journey at the LB Stadium in Hyderabad during a summer camp when she was just seven. Nishika now trains at the Gaudium Sportopia, a SAI-accredited centre, under the mentorship of coach Manoj Rana, slowly evolving into one of India\u2019s promising young gymnasts.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Initially, I joined gymnastics just for fun because I was a very active girl since childhood, doing a lot of school activities. There was no such reason to get into gymnastics. But once the medals came in and I started training from the age of 12 under Manoj Sir, things got serious. Now I train like a professional,\u201d Nishika told SAI Media.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Transitioning into the senior category last year was an overwhelming period for her as she kept doubting herself if she could do well in the higher-age group. She finally used her hard work to fit in. Following competition in a flurry of senior nationals before coming to KIYG 2025, Nishika has found her confidence back.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
From the Khelo India Games, she is taking back a deep connection, having trained and competed at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, a venue she describes as home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis gym is special. I\u2019ve attended many national camps here, and I keep coming here. Although I am from Telangana, Delhi is like my home ground,\u201d Nishika said. \u201cThe facilities, lighting, music system, and energy of the place bring out the best in me. Playing here feels so good.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
From the Khelo India Games, she is taking back a deep connection, having trained and competed at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, a venue she describes as home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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