In a proud moment for India, Zahaan Hemrajani, a young sailor from Mumbai, finished made it to the top 10 at the recently concluded U17 O’pen Skiff World Championship in Nishinomiya, Japan. This is an annual international sailing competition for sailors under the age of 17.
Zahaan Hemrajani Makes India Proud At A Youth Sailing Championship In Japan
Hosted by the International O’pen Skiff Association and recognised by World Sailing, the U17 O’pen Skiff World Championship is a global event held every year. This time, it took place in Nishinomiya, Japan. Zahaan Hemrajani, son of BookMyShow founder and CEO Ashish Hemrajani, delivered a groundbreaking performance and secured a top-10 finish.
It’s a proud moment for the country. His performance was one of the strongest showings by an Indian sailor at this global youth event. Held from July 17 to 23, the championship saw participation from top youth sailors across the world.
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Zahaan Shines Despite Challenges
Just a young boy from Mumbai, Zahaan delivered a spectacular performance, even after missing the first six races due to equipment issues. But with resilience and determination, he bounced back and went on to win two races. He also secured top 10 finishes in nearly half of his heats. His performance was not just about results; it showed the grit and strength he brought to the competition.
Talking about the experience, Zahaan Hemrajani shared, “This means everything to me. I am incredibly thankful to my coach, Umesh Naiksatam, and the 24Seven Sailing Team for their unwavering support, and to my mentor Amish Ved for his continued guidance. I am also grateful to my parents for always encouraging me and to Captain Abhimanyu Patankar of INWTC and the Royal Bombay Yacht Club for being instrumental in my development as a sailor”
He also thanked the Government of Maharashtra and said, “Access to training during the monsoon was made possible through the support of the Government of Maharashtra, which authorised the use of Pawna Lake. I also sincerely thank my school, Oberoi International, for their support and flexibility in allowing me to pursue this opportunity.”
Though sailing is not a widely followed sport among Indian youth, Zahaan’s achievement surely puts it on the map. His journey will inspire many young sailors to represent the country on the international stage.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied
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