Patriotic fervour with a Bollywood tadka — the 14th National Ice Skating Championship (October 1 and 2) in Gurgaon was a one-of-its-kind event. More than 100 young skaters from across the country performed to songs such as Vande Mataram, Yeh Mera India, Raabta, Main Tera Boyfriend and Give Me Some Sunshine, at the event hosted by the Ice Skating Association of India. There were solo acts, Ice Dance in pairs and also in synchronised groups of eight.
Conducted in categories: Juvenile (below 10 years), Novice A (10-13 Years), Novice B (13-15 Years), Advance Novice (15-17 years), Senior (above 19 years), Junior (17-19 years), the championship culminated with an award ceremony on October 2.
“Bollywood music is very Indian and represents the nation,” says Anup K Yama from Telangana, who won hearts with his performance with Aldrin Mathew, and received gold medals in pair and solo category. An Arjuna Awardee in the sport of Roller Skating (year 2015), Yama adds, “We don’t have an ice rink back at home in Telangana, so we just come here and perform. It’s a very difficult task for us.”
P. Sai Praneeth, a participant from the junior category, also performed to Bollywood beats. “Because it has so much rhythm, we can match our steps with the beats,” says Praneeth. Priyam Tated, a 13-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, won a gold medal in Solo figure skating Novice B (13-15 years) category. “I’ve been ice skating for five years now. My aim is to represent India in Olympics 2024 and win a medal.”
{{/usCountry}}P. Sai Praneeth, a participant from the junior category, also performed to Bollywood beats. “Because it has so much rhythm, we can match our steps with the beats,” says Praneeth. Priyam Tated, a 13-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, won a gold medal in Solo figure skating Novice B (13-15 years) category. “I’ve been ice skating for five years now. My aim is to represent India in Olympics 2024 and win a medal.”
{{/usCountry}}Choosing winners was no easy task for the judges. JS Sahney from the Ice Skating Association of India was one of the judges. “The talent is rising in India. From 40 participants last time, there were 140 contestants this year,” he says. Although there’s great progress, “the lack of ice rinks and support from government is a hindrance for the sport,” says RK Gupta, president, Ice Skating Association of India.
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