(From left) George Felix, daughter of Don Marcello, wife Panimaya Priyadarshini and son Ryan Varghes. | Photo Credit: K. Ragesh
Ryan Vargheses maybe on Friday, July 25, did not win the prize at the intermediate extreme slalom event at the Malabar River Festival (MRF) festival. But he certainly won the heart.
This ten -year -old from Ernakula is the youngest competitor at the festival this season and its completion of the event is considered a victory at his age, which is reflected as a promising talent. Ryan, along with his twelve -year -old sister Don Marcello, had attention to them on the first day of the festival, when there were several people, including villagers, stopping to talk and click on the pictures. Dona exhibited her talent, which ended fourth on an intermediate extreme slalom event in the women’s category.
This is not the first trip for Ryan and Don in MRF. Both took part in the previous edition. Students of the Public School of St. Mary, Thamarachal, in Ernacula, siblings are well supported by their parents George Felix and Panimaya Priyadarshini, who themselves are kayakers of flat water.
“At first I was tense. But as soon as I entered the water, there was no time to think,” Ryan said, adding that he was happy that he ended up without problems, even though he had a smaller bruise on the rock.
“This water is very turbulent, and therefore it is difficult for beginners to go through. In April-Letnošní year he trained under several professional kayaks from Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, especially the National Champion Amit Thapy.
George Felix and Panimaya took the kayak during the pandemic as a fun influenced by several friends. Soon, however, it became their passion, which inspired them to ensure professional training for their children in sports. “We do not have many kayakers who will represent India in smaller age groups. We certainly hope that Ryan and Don will be proud of the national representation,” Panimaya said.
Published – July 25, 2025 23:25 is
