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When did you start Roller Skating? And how
did you get interested in this sport?
I had gone to watch the District Championships
held in Pune in 1988 and saw some fabulous performances
staged by a few kids, this got me interested in
skating and I took up the sport.
Who was your coach?
There was no certified coach in Pune in
1988. I learned watching videotapes and referring
to books that were available on the sport.
What are your achievements?
In the first year (1988) itself I won
the State Championship in two events and was ranked
4th in the 300 meters and 8th
in the 1500 meters at the National Championships.
I also won a silver medal at the National Championships
in pair skating in 1989, which boosted my morale
considerably. It was then that I decided to master
the sport.
Who is the person who helped you the most
in your endeavour?
The entire credit for the success I have
achieved goes to my mother.
Despite several odds she supported me completely.
Have you taken any professional training
and certifications?
Yes, I attended a training camp in Delhi
at the Indian Roller Skating School (IRSS) under
Mr. Greiko. I have a Diploma from IRSS
and am a
certified coach.
Skating is regarded as a fairly dangerous
sport? Do you agree?
Skating is considered to be a risky sport
because one tends to keep falling while learning
to skate. But once the technique is mastered there
is no great risk. Didn't we all fall down when
we were learning to bicycle?
How does Skating help an individual?
Skating helps exercise every part of the
body. With proper training and the right posture
and style, one can keep fit by skating regularly.
Infact, skating helps a person burn around 660
calories an hour.
Which part of the city is your favourite
skating ground?
I love to skate on Pashan Road and the
areas around the University circle as the roads
are good and the environment is very healthy to
skate and the people around are quite helpful.
Which event do you consider the most memorable?
I had met with an accident in '97 while
skating and was slightly injured. Negligence led
to the injury and I even feared that I would not
be able to skate again. Mercifully, I recovered
and inspite of not skating for an entire year
I won the district championships, the state championships
and won a bronze medal in pair skating at the
nationals in 1998. This was undoubtedly, my most
memorable event.
Why is the sport not very popular in India?
Until a few years ago, Skating was not
a very popular sport, as it was not even recognised
by any Sports Governing body. However, with commendable
performances by a few Indians on the international
circuit, the scenario has altered and skating
is now recognised by the School Games Federation
of India as well as the Indian Olympics Association.
Can you tell us your medal tally and trophies?
54 Gold Medals, 37 Silver, 22 Bronze and
36 trophies. Seven times District champion, two
times State Champion and 14 times National Medallist.
PHEW!
Text: Prasad Hiranwar
Photo Courtesy: Rahul Rane
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