Mobilenews24x7 Bureau
Winning the Amway Nutrilite Golf Tour – ITC Classic event that took place from 17th to 19th May at Delhi, Odia girl Kashika Mishra, aged 16 years has paved her way to secure a WAGR (World Amateur Golf Ranking). She is the first Odia lady to secure the ranking. It was a qualifying event for the FCG Callaway World Championship Junior Golf Tournament 2023 at Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, California, USA, in July 2023. She has also been selected for the tour.
Kashika, born to Brigadier T K Mishra and Mrs Kiran, hails from Dharakot, in Brahmapur district of Odisha.
Initially into hobbies like dancing and riding, her talent in Golf was spotted rather late in 2019, when she started practicing full time at an age of 12, while her father was posted at Delhi. Brig Mishra, a keen golfer himself, noticed the latent talent in her and started taking her to the Golf Course. Her father was the first coach and would religiouly take her for prctice sessions before and after office everyday, despite his hectic schedule, even continuing it during COVID pandemic. As she seemed promising, her full time coaching started with Mr Raju James at DLF Academy Gurugram. Now she trains with renowned coaches Anitya Chand and DP Singh, at DLF Academy. Her Practice regimen includes a mix of physical strength techniques and diet, 7-8 hours on an average daily. At times a day can start at as early as 5 am and could end as late at 10 pm. She plays at the the DLF Academy, Delhi Golf Club and AEPTA, the Army Golf Course at Delhi.
Kashika has won 9 tours she participated in 2022 – 23 and was Runners-up two, most notably the Amway Nutrilite tour WAGR. Her international selections include PPTV International Junior Golf Championship, Thailand, FGC Callaway Golf Championship and Junior Championship, USA, Singapore Junior Golf Championship and TJTD Junior Golf Tournament, Phuket.
She attributes her growth and success majorly to her Parents, especially her Mother. While his father is posted in a fwd area, for last two years, its her Mother Kiran who single handedly helps her in everything, daily practice, preparing and planning for tournaments, travelling, besides being a great support for managing stress and maintaining sports temperament. Being from the Army Background helped most, as she grew up in an environment where sports is encouraged besides access to Golf Courses.
Just into her Class XIth, for the young girl managing play and study balance is tough. She attends school whenever not having tournaments. Her School, the Shri Ram School, Gurugram supports with extra classes adjusting to her golf schedule. Studying in tough ICSE board she consistently performs well securing a percentile of 90.
