Suhail Rather
Bandipora, Oct. 3: A self-taught callisthenics athlete from the Athwatoo village in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district is capturing the attention and admiration of people across the valley with his gravity-defying stunts.
Meet Imran, the talented individual who embarked on his callisthenics journey, a form of strength training focusing on bodyweight exercises, two years ago. Originally involved in martial arts, Imran sought something unique and different, which led him to discover the captivating world of callisthenics.
Imran, talking to The Web Story, said that I faced many challenges in the initial stage of my life and had to relocate to Srinagar for work; however, my passion for callisthenics remained strong despite my busy schedule at work. He said the passion prompted me to make a life-changing decision, and I quit my job in order to fully dedicate myself to my passion.
He said after I quit my job, a new chapter was written, and then I began practicing callisthenics in a park, where my breathtaking routines caught the attention of onlookers, particularly children who expressed a keen interest in learning.
He said I decided to coach children at the park without expecting any remuneration. Over time, I built a team of forty athletes whom I trained under my guidance, and later I established an academy, which also became the first callisthenics academy in Kashmir.
Imran also praised the Indian Army for their support in pursuing this endeavour; he said it was the support and encouragement from the Army that gave me the courage to move forward with this academy.
Imran said that after their support, only I and my crew participated in various festivals and cultural events, where we showcased our skills.
Imran said that after participating on many platforms, we are also in contact with the National Callisthenics Association, which has plans to showcase our talent on a national level.
When asked about the future of callisthenics in Kashmir, Imran expressed optimism, believing that they would rise to the forefront of fitness and physical culture. He emphasised that callisthenics is both challenging and fun and can be practiced anywhere, allowing individuals to be creative with their movements.
Imran’s dedication and relentless practice have allowed him to accomplish extraordinary feats, pushing his physical limits and constantly progressing.
