City boy stands 8th in international equestrian event
Times of India: City lad Kapilesh Bhate put up a splendid show at the Competition Showjumping Internationale (CSI) Rottenburg (Germany) to finish eighth and achieve his first international standing in an equestrian event.
Bhate, who returned home recently from the event which took place in the last week of September, said, “I secured the eighth place in the event and secured my first ever international placing in a professional tour. This achievement has been a great confidence booster for me and my horse, and I can now say that we are almost ready for the Asian Games.”
Kapilesh, who is a student of Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), added, “It was a great event as the world’s top show jumpers participated in it. I got to learn a lot from them and this experience will help me better my performances in the upcoming event. Though I am eligible to compete in the junior category, I participated in the seniors’ open category to judge my skill and I think it was a good decision.”
Kapilesh, who is now eyeing the Asian Games said that this event which will be held in China next year, is his immediate target. “Me and my coach are working really hard towards this event and we have a good one-and-a-half years in hand to prepare for it. Also, I wish to represent India in the Olympics, but Asian Games is my immediate target,” he said.
Kapilesh trains under Phillip Schober who has played a key role in his success. “Me and my coach are almost of the same age which helps us connect better. With 89 victories in the over-140-cm category, Schober has great experience and excellent advice to offer.”
Earlier in April, Kapilesh rode into the limelight by striking gold at the Escon Spring Club jumping event in Dortmund, Germany, bagging a major international win for India, 27 years after the 1982 Asian Games success. In 2006, Bhate had bagged the fourth place in the Young Riders World Cup in Kuala Lumpur.
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