Two schoolgirls from Visakhapatnam, D Greeshma and Sivakoti Kshetra, introduced residence gold and silver on the not too long ago concluded Asian Roller Skating Championship held in South Korea. Greeshma gained gold in the senior small present group occasion, whereas Kshetra took silver in her class.
For Greeshma, a category XII scholar of Visakha Valley School, creative skating started as a interest when she was simply 4 years previous. Over the years, the game grew right into a critical pursuit. “Roller sports demand focus and consistent practice,” she says. “It’s about balancing both the body and mind. It improves stamina, concentration and teaches you to stay grounded under pressure.”
Her current win, she says, was the results of rigorous preparation. “During our official practice session in South Korea, we realised we were performing better than the other teams. That gave us confidence going into the event.”
But her journey on the championship wasn’t with out setbacks. Just earlier than her solo efficiency, she suffered a fall and was taken to the hospital. “Luckily, the injury wasn’t severe,” remembers her mom, Sharmila. “She went back and performed despite falling again during the routine. I thought she wouldn’t be able to continue, but she completed the event.” Greeshma completed sixth in the solo class.
She credit her coaches, P Satyanarayana and Chitti Babu, for shaping her approach and serving to her keep ready for worldwide competitions. “They have played a big role in my journey. From correcting posture to training for stamina and mental strength, they’ve been closely involved throughout.”
Greeshma’s common coaching takes place each night from 6.30pm to 9pm. However, in the lead-up to worldwide occasions, she attends nationwide conditioning camps that sometimes final 15 days every, held in completely different cities throughout India. “We usually attend three to five camps before every international championship. These focus on physical endurance, mental conditioning and improving our technical performance.”
Representing India, she says, carries a way of delight. “To represent the country at any international event is a big honour. But representing India at the Asian Games has been the best moment of my life so far,” says Greeshma.
Sivakoti Kshetra from Visakhapatnam, who bagged a silver medal on the not too long ago held Asian Roller Skating Championship.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
In the identical championship, 14-year-old Sivakoti Kshetra, a scholar of Little Angels School, gained a silver medal. Her each day schedule is constructed round self-discipline and lengthy coaching hours. On common days, she begins her day at 5am, research till 7am and heads to faculty, which has supported her sporting desires by giving her flexibility and encouragement. After faculty, she research for an hour, then begins her first skating session at residence adopted by formal teaching from 7pm to 9pm.
During competitions, her schedule modifications utterly. She trains early morning for 3 hours earlier than heading to faculty. Her second coaching session is in the afternoon, adopted by the third at night time.
Her curiosity in skating began on the age of 4, when her dad and mom, noticing delayed speech and hyperkinetic habits, started taking her to the rink along with her elder sister. “We thought the sport might help her improve mentally and physically,” says her father Dr S Murali Krishna. “It turned out to be transformative.”
Kshetra has since gained 72 medals, together with 21 nationwide and two Asian medals. Her first worldwide medal got here from China in 2023; South Korea is her second. She has been a part of the Sea Cadet Corps for 4 years now, the place she trains with the Indian Navy each Sunday.
Both Greeshma and Kshetra prepare at Shivaji Park Skating Rink below the identical coaches, P Satyanarayana and Chitti Babu.
For the girls, the main focus, nevertheless, was by no means on medals initially. “We didn’t have a sports background nor a goal for them to represent India,” says Kshetra’s father. “We only wanted them to stay active and focused.”
