Not far away from the lands of Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar, two youth from Kolkata have taken the internet by storm with their air flip videos.
In a recent video, which was shared by an IAS officer MV Rao on Twitter, Lovely, a Class-7 girl and Ali, a Class-8 boy are seen performing the gymnastic stunts in their school uniform.
The video reads the caption, "What a pretty picture! Future Gymnasts in making 🏅🎉(video via social media)."
What a pretty picture!Future Gymnasts in making 🏅🎉(video via social media) pic.twitter.com/2elqylGsgK— M V Rao (@mvraoforindia) August 25, 2019
The video received international spotlight when it was eventually shared by five-time Olympic gold medalist gymnast Nadia Comaneci, who said, "This is awesome."
This is awesome pic.twitter.com/G3MxCo0TzG— Nadia Comaneci (@nadiacomaneci10) August 29, 2019
The biggest spotlight was when Minister of State Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren riju shared it too saying, "I'm happy that @nadiacomaneci10 tweeted it! As first gymnast who scored perfect 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and then, received six more perfect 10s to win three gold medals, it becomes very special. I've urged to introduce these kids to me."
I'm happy that @nadiacomaneci10 tweeted it! As first gymnast who scored perfect 10.0 at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and then, received six more perfect 10s to win three gold medals, it becomes very special. I've urged to introduce these kids to me. https://t.co/ahYVws8VCB— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 30, 2019
Following @KirenRiju's tweet, MP Maneka Sanjay Gandhi took to Twitter to express her views on the gymnastic performed by the children. She said, "Delighted to see these budding gymnasts from Kolkata. I request Hon’ble Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shri @KirenRijiju ji to take them under his wing so they can get the required support and training that would take their talent forward and make our nation proud."
Delighted to see these budding gymnasts from Kolkata. I request Hon’ble Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Shri @KirenRijiju ji to take them under his wing so they can get the required support and training that would take their talent forward and make our nation proud. https://t.co/YavoKC5pXc— Maneka Sanjay Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) September 3, 2019
The tweets have garnered a lot of likes and netizens' curiosity to find the whereabouts of the two children led an India Today reporter to spot them.
In an India Today interview, the duo reveals that they are also hip-hop dancers and do not fear performing air flips over hard ground. Lovely's mother said that coming from a "lower class Muslim background," she faces flak over letting her daughter perform such stunts.
Their families went on to express that with the help of the sports minister, it would be great if their children grow up to represent the nation in Olympics.