Dan Baker Joins Odisha Gymnastics High Performance Centre As Foreign Expert

The Odisha AM/NS India Gymnastics High Performance Centre (HPC) in Bhubaneswar has appointed American coach Dan Baker as its new Foreign Expert, adding international coaching experience to its high-performance programme.

Baker, a former USA National Team coach, Elite Development Coordinator and coach of the American contingent at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, brings considerable experience in elite gymnastics. During his coaching career, he has worked with athletes who have won more than 40 international medals, while 10 of his trainees have progressed to national teams.

Dan Baker joins Odisha AM/NS HPC for Gymnastics

His experience also includes working at major international competitions, including the World Championships and Pan American Championships. He holds the Master of Sport qualification and is a Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) Brevet-certified coach.

At the Bhubaneswar centre, Baker will work alongside Chief Coach Ashok Mishra and the existing coaching staff. His responsibilities will include supporting athlete development, improving technical standards and preparing gymnasts for international competitions.

The appointment adds to the centre's efforts to bring overseas coaching expertise into its training structure. Established in 2023 through a partnership between the Odisha government and AM/NS India, the facility at Kalinga Stadium was developed to strengthen the country's gymnastics ecosystem.