Maharashtra's Grishma Thorat secures silver at KIYG 2023

Thane weightlifter, Grishma Thorat, clinched the silver medal in the women's 76kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games 2023, marking a triumphant return after grappling with personal loss.

Thorat's journey was marred by the tragic demise of her father, who succumbed to post-Covid complications four days after her participation in the junior nationals in 2022.

Grishma Thorat, a 10th-grade student, endured the emotional turmoil of losing her father to Covid-related complications. Her return from the junior nationals was followed by her father's hospitalisation, casting a shadow over her life. The financial strain added to the adversity, as her father was the family's sole breadwinner.

Thorat's mother, employed as a caretaker in an Anganwadi center in Thane, took on the responsibility of supporting the family and funding the education of Grishma and her twin sister. Despite the challenges, Thorat's determination and her coach, Madhuri Sinhasane's unwavering support, played a pivotal role in her comeback.

Reflecting on the trying period, Thorat said, "It (last two years) has been the toughest phase of my career so far. Every time, I go for training or start doing anything the memories of my father keep flashing in front of me. I was mentally shattered, deep inside there's a void that's hard to be filled. I couldn't focus on anything."

The Khelo India Youth Games provided a platform for Thorat to turn her fortunes. Prior to this edition, she secured sixth and fourth positions in Panchkula and Indore, respectively. Motivated by her recent bronze medal at the junior nationals, Thorat now sets her sights on achieving a top podium finish at the upcoming Under-17 School Games in Patna in March.