India has been participating in the World Games since its inception; the 11th edition of the Games started on 7th July and will continue till 17th July at Birmingham in Alabama, USA.
The World Games is an international multi-sport event meant for those disciplines that are not contested in the Olympic Games. Those other sports have little opportunity to become part of the Olympic programme, therefore, the non-Olympic Federations wanted to form their own showcase event to increase the publicity of their sports, which they called The World Games.
The World Games are usually held every four years, one year after the Summer Olympic Games; the first edition of which was held in Santa Clara, the USA in 1981. To host the event, it is not mandatory for the organisers to build new venues or facilities.
In this edition of the World Games, India is represented by a 14-member squad participating in Archery, Billiards, Dance Sport, Powerlifting, Sumo, Wushu, and Roller Sport.
The Indian Roller Skating team is comprised of Dhanush Babu, Aarathy Kasturiraj, and Varsha Sriramakrishna Puranik. Dhanush Babu from Karnataka is the first male skater to represent India in the World Games. Finishing third in the heat of Men’s Sprint 500m, Dhanush missed a spot in the final. But, the Asian bronze medallist who has been skating since he was 4, is determined to come back with a stronger performance in the next edition.
Apart from them, Sahil Mahesh Utekar is representing the country in Men’s Lightweight Powerlifting, Samruddhi Bhosale has qualified for the Women’s Lightweight Sumo event and Wushu artist, Sanma Brahma will take part in the Tajijian All-round Men’s event. An Indian Couple’s team will take part in the Rock ‘n’ Roll category of Dance Sports.
