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Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Golf's new kids are City's pride
Bengaluru: At Pinehurst, the cradle of American golf, two young girls from Bengaluru covered themselves in the spotlight. Nine-year-old Vedika Bhansali rolled in her final putt to seal a one-shot win in the Girls 9 category, becoming the first Indian to lift a trophy at the US Kids World Championship. Vedika shot a final round four-under 32 to clinch a thrilling one-shot victory — a dream she first envisioned after watching The Short Game, a documentary film on the very event she has now conquered. A few fairways away, 11-year-old Aida Thimmaiah was scripting a gritty comeback. After a shaky opening round left her in 27th place, she charged back with a four-under on Day 2, climbing to sixth place. She then produced the best score of the final round to finish third in the Girls 11 category. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Gold Rates Today in Bengaluru | Silver Rates Today in Bengaluru That the two train together under former India player Rahul Ganapathy at the Karnataka Golf Association is no coincidence. Both started swinging junior clubs during the Covid-19 lockdown, when closed classrooms left them with time enough to explore a sport that would soon take over their young lives. For Vedika, golf was love at first swing. Encouraged by her family, she spent her lockdown days on the field behind her house, hitting balls. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Slipi: New Container Houses – Take A Look At The Prices! Container homes | Search ads Learn More Undo For Aida, coming from a family steeped in sport, golf was a more calculated choice. Now their days are a blend of dawn-to-dusk practice at the KGA, fitness training, and of course studies! Vedika's weapon is her composure; Aida's is her power off the tee. At Pinehurst, they made a point: Indian junior golf is looking at podiums. Vedika Bubbly by nature and calm and composed on the course - golf wasn't always the obvious path for Vedika. Her parents believed in exposing their child to everything — music, martial arts, swimming, cycling, gymnastics, horse riding, tennis and golf. Over time, she gravitated towards two individual sports — tennis and golf. During the pandemic, fate tipped the scales: living near an empty cricket field, she spent hours hitting balls. With KGA offering her a student membership, golf became her focus. Her first tournament in 2021, aged five, saw her finish second. The youngster slowly made her mark, winning several IGU South Zone and local tournaments. At Pinehurst, she finished in the top five twice before finally breaking through in her third attempt. "I couldn't believe it, but I didn't show any emotion," she said with a wide grin. "It's like in the movie 83 — the thought that I could be the first to win something for my country is phenomenal," she said. Vedika follows a disciplined routine: 5 am stretching and putting practice, school till noon, fitness training, and sessions at KGA, followed by reading in the evening. An avid reader, her bookshelf ranges from Harry Potter to Sherlock Holmes, and she listens to audiobooks like Sapiens and The Mahabharata while stuck in Bengaluru's infamous traffic. Self-described as an instinctive player, she thrives under pressure. She looks up to Nelly Korda and India's own Aditi Ashok, often practicing with the latter. "Aditi is very fond of me! She gives me a lot of tips and inspires me," said Vedika. When the historic win came, her mother — Chandni's disbelief was telling: "No, you're lying," she said when Vedika called with the news. The celebration? A pack of 200 sketch pens! As for the future, Vedika has goals. "I want to do amazing things," she said. Aida Aida's journey to Pinehurst began far from American fairways. She moved to Bengaluru from Mysuru three years ago to train at KGA. Golf was a strategic choice. Her father, Den Thimmaiah, is a national rally champion; her uncle, Len Aiyappa, an Olympian hockey player; and her mother Sanjana Thimmaiah a former state-level swimmer. After much research, and even genetic testing, her parents decided golf was the long-term path. She first picked up a club at two but only took to the sport seriously at seven—later than many peers. The lockdown proved to be the turning point. She trains six to seven hours daily and studies privately to accommodate a schedule packed with national and international tournaments. Her game is built on power — helped by her height — though she admits her short game needs sharpening. "I want to be world No. 1 and win the Olympic gold. It will happen. I'll do whatever it takes," said Aida, who has won several IGU South Zone and national (U-13 category) tournaments. Off the course Aida is still very much an 11-year-old—into cooking and go-karting. She loves biryani, ramen, and ice cream. She counts Aditi as a mentor and idolizes Nelly and Tiger Woods. Pressure, she adds, is part of the job. "Every day is different in golf. I've learnt to play fearlessly," she said. That mindset turned her Pinehurst campaign around. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
21-04-2025
- Indian Express
‘Mother, sister has depression, fought frequently with father: son of murdered ex-Karnataka Police chief Om Prakash in FIR
The wife and daughter of the former Karnataka Police chief Om Prakash, who was found murdered at his home in Bengaluru Sunday, are suffering from depression and frequently fought with the officer, his son has said in his police complaint. Om Prakash, 68, was found dead with multiple stab injuries at his house in HSR Layout in Southeast Bengaluru, and his wife Pallavi Prakash, 65, was detained in connection with the case. Kartik Prakash, 40, stated in his police complaint Sunday that his father had moved out of his house because of the frequent fights and threats from his mother, and also expressed suspicion that his mother and sister may have murdered his father. The First Information Report (FIR) was based on his complaint. Kartik, who received the news of his father's death while he was at the Karnataka Golf Association, said his mother had been threatening to kill his father for the last week. He said Om Prakash moved to his sister's house in Bengaluru as a result of the threats. 'Then my younger sister Kriti went to Sarita Kumari's [Om Prakash's sister] house two days ago and took our father, Mr Om Prakash, back home,' he said in the complaint, adding his mother and sister were 'suffering from depression and used to fight with our father every day.' Vikash Kumar Vikash, Additional Commissioner of Police (West), said Sunday they were informed about the incident at around 4.30 pm, and that a sharp weapon was found near the former DGP's body. Vikash also said there were three people in the house when the incident happened. Before the murder, the senior police officer's wife sent a series of messages on a social media forum for officers' families expressing a threat to her life and her daughter's life from Prakash, and staff at their home. 'Me and my daughter have been under severe domestic violence at the hands of my husband Omprakash, ex DGP Karnataka. His weapons are not traditional ones. They are extremely sophisticated,' she said in one of the messages. 'My son has got a revolver and rifles that should be seized or taken away immediately. All these events are for the sake of property. Greed and jealousy. My husband is supporting my son and daughter-in-law,' said another message. A 1981-cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Prakash started his career as the additional superintendent of police in Karnataka's Ballari district. He served in various districts as superintendent of police, was with the Lokayukta police, and DGP of the Criminal Investigation Department before assuming charge as director general and inspector general of police (DG&IGP) in 2015. He retired in 2017.
