Uday Vishwanath Deshpande

Uday Vishwanath Deshpande (born July 20, 1953) is an Indian Mallakhamb coach and Padma Shri awardee recognized for his contributions to the Indian sport of Mallakhamb. Deshpande has been instrumental in promoting Mallakhamb at a global level, conducting workshops and training sessions in over 48 countries.[1] [2][3]

Uday Vishwanath Deshpande
Born (1953-07-20) July 20, 1953 (age 71)
NationalityIndian
CitizenshipIndia
EducationBachelor of Science
Alma materUniversity of Mumbai
OccupationMallakhamb coach
Years active1973–present
Known forPromoting and revitalizing Mallakhamb worldwide
Notable workPadma Shri award recipient
AwardsPadma Shri
Websitedeshpandeuday.com

Early life

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Deshpande was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He completed his B.Sc. in Chemistry and Botany from the University of Mumbai in 1973. Deshpande is married to Sukhada and has two children, Omkar and Aditi. His family has been supportive of his career, with his daughter Aditi also involved in teaching aerial silk in the United States.[4]

Career

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Deshpande began his career as a Mallakhamb coach in the early 1970s. He is currently the chief coach at Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir in Mumbai, where he has trained thousands of students. Under his guidance, Mallakhamb has not only revived in India but also gained international attention.[5][6]

Awards and recognition

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In 2024, Deshpande was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his efforts in sports. He is often referred to as the 'Mallakhamb Pitamah' for his pioneering work in popularizing the sport.[7][8]

Legacy and impact

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Deshpande's work in Mallakhamb has led to its inclusion in sports curricula across several countries, creating a new generation of instructors and practitioners. His initiatives have significantly contributed to the sport's recognition as a means to enhance physical and mental fitness.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Uday Vishwanath Deshpande: Coach of traditional Indian sport Mallakhamb gets Padma Shri award". News9live. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  2. ^ "Padma Awards winners: Olympic gold medallist, Grand Slam-winner, Mallakhamb flagbearer honoured". The Times of India. 2024-01-26. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  3. ^ "34 Unsung Heroes of India Conferred Padma Awards | Who Are They? Here's The List". News18. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  4. ^ "International Mallakhamb Coach Uday Deshpande's Earns Padma Shri Prestige". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  5. ^ "How a coach roped the world into mallakhamb". The Times of India. 2024-02-18. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  6. ^ "International Mallakhamb Coach Uday Deshpande's Earns Padma Shri Prestige". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  7. ^ "Getting this award is a huge achievement": Uday Vishwanath Deshpande on honoured with Padma Shri". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  8. ^ Bureau, ABP News (2024-01-26). "Bopanna, Chinappa Among 7 Sportspersons Shortlisted For Padma Shri Award 2024, Check Full List". news.abplive.com. Retrieved 2024-06-11. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ "Uday Vishwanath Deshpande: मलखम्ब कोच उदय को पद्म श्री सम्मान, 50 देश के 5000 से अधिक लोगों के कोच रहे". Amar Ujala (in Hindi). Retrieved 2024-06-11.