Pranati Nayak wins silver medal in FIG World Challenge Cup

India's Pranati Nayak clinched silver medal in the women's vault event at the FIG World Challenge Cup 2026 in Tashkent.

The 31-year-old Odisha gymnast, a three-time Asian Championship medallist, secured an average score of 13.025 after registering 12.950 and 12.700 across her two vaults in the final on Saturday.

Vietnam's Thi Quynh Nhu Nguyen won the gold medal with a score of 13.375, while Uzbekistan's Shakhinabonu Yusufova claimed bronze with 12.950.

Another Indian finalist, Protistha Samanta, finished sixth with a score of 12.850.

Reflecting on her achievement in a social media post, Pranati said the past few months had been challenging but credited perseverance and faith for helping her bounce back.

''The last couple of months have not been easy,'' Nayak, who trains at the Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar, wrote on her social media account.

''There were moments of doubt, setbacks and hard days, but through it all, I never stopped believing. And standing at the podium with this medal was proof that patience, perseverance and faith always give back to you,'' she said.

Pranati also thanked her coach Ashok Mishra, support staff and institutions including the Sports Authority of India, Gymnastics Federation of India and the AM/NS India High Performance Centre for their backing.

''Thank you to everyone who kept me in their wishes and stood by me through every phase. Proud of this moment. Thank you god for everything,'' she added.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)