State Award Inspires Asian Games Medallist Hriday Chheda to Aim for Glory at World Championships and Olympics
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Synopsis
Maharashtra's equestrian star Hriday Chheda is motivated by his recent achievement of the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award, aiming for medals in upcoming championships and the 2028 LA Olympics. His historic gold medal win at the Asian Games has opened new avenues for Indian dressage.
Key Takeaways
- Hriday Chheda is the first equestrian to receive the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award.
- He was part of the first Indian team to win a gold medal in Dressage at the Asian Games.
- His focus is on upcoming championships and qualifying for the 2028 LA Olympics.
- The recognition helps elevate the profile of equestrian sports in India.
- Dressage is a challenging discipline that requires constant learning and improvement.
Mumbai, April 23 (NationPress) Making history is second nature to Maharashtra's equestrian athlete Hriday Chheda. Recently, he made headlines by becoming the first equestrian to receive the esteemed Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award for the year 2022-23 from the Maharashtra Government during a ceremony in Pune.
This accolade was awarded to Hriday for yet another remarkable achievement — being part of the inaugural Indian team that clinched a gold medal in Dressage at the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.
Inspired by this latest recognition, Hriday Chheda shared with IANS that he is now determined to secure medals at major events over the next two years, with aspirations to qualify for the 2028 LA Olympics.
In an interview conducted via Zoom from his base in Europe, he elaborated:
Q: Congratulations on receiving the Shiv Chhatrapati Award from the Maharashtra Government. How do such accolades inspire you? What significance do you attach to these awards?
HC: Certainly, awards are an excellent means to acknowledge our efforts, especially when they come from the State and government; it feels like an honor. We do not chase awards solely for their sake, but they serve as a validation of our hard work.
They motivate us to keep striving and to persist in our endeavors. Awards are merely the outcomes of our dedication; they are not the driving force behind our actions.
Q: You chose equestrian sports at a young age, a discipline that isn’t widely recognized in India. What drew you to it?
HC: I began horse riding at a very tender age. My father introduced me to various camps near Bombay, eventually leading me to the Amateur Riders Club (ARC), where I could ride before school.
I found equestrianism captivating; it's a unique sport and my bond with horses and the partnership we developed over time was fulfilling. I have been committed to it since 2004, and it has been an incredible journey thus far.
While it may not be mainstream, I believe it’s a wonderful sport to pursue, albeit challenging in India, which is why I currently train in Europe.
Awards like the Shiv Chhatrapati State Award help elevate the sport's profile, potentially attracting more interest and participants.
Q: How do you envision your career progressing now? After being part of the gold medal-winning team in Hangzhou, you are now training in Europe. What are your aspirations?
HC: In the coming years, numerous exciting championships are on the horizon. In December, we will participate in the Asian Continental Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, which is our next target.
Next year, the World Equestrian Games or World Championships at ARC in Germany will be a significant milestone, and I am aiming to qualify for that. Additionally, the Asian Games in Japan next year is also a key goal, as I aim to represent my country again and achieve similar success as before. I believe performing well in these events will pave the way for my qualification for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Q: Can you share your experience regarding the Asian Games gold medal, which marked India's first victory in this category? How has it impacted your life and career?
HC: Winning that gold medal has been transformative for me. It opened many doors, leading to increased support and recognition. The state and national sports authorities have acknowledged our achievements, which assists in pursuing our goals.
On a personal level, since India was previously not seen as a contender in dressage, this victory has created opportunities for others to explore this sport.
Now, people in Europe are recognizing India as an emerging player in the equestrian scene. The unexpected success has positively transformed our sport, encouraging more individuals to take up dressage.
More people are now aware of dressage in India, a sport that was relatively unknown until recently. Moreover, sports authorities are beginning to realize India's potential for winning medals in this discipline. This is an encouraging sign for us to continue excelling and aim for more medals in the future.
Q: Are you concentrating solely on dressage, or do you plan to compete in other disciplines like Eventing and Show-jumping?
HC: I am currently focused solely on dressage and do not plan to pursue other disciplines at this time. My commitment is entirely to dressage.
Q: Dressage is regarded as one of the most challenging equestrian disciplines, requiring significant synchronization between rider and horse. How challenging has it been for you to master this?
HC: Each discipline, whether it be Eventing or Show-jumping, presents its own challenges. Dressage emphasizes precision and harmony between horse and rider. The objective is to execute high-level movements as effortlessly as possible. Achieving perfection is challenging; we believe in the constant pursuit of improvement, learning, and growth.
It’s a continual journey. The results we achieve through effective communication with the horse are rewarding. When we see positive outcomes from our efforts, we know we are progressing. Each day, we strive to be just a bit better than the previous day.
