A nine year old speed skater, Aashima Aahuja is studying in fourth grade at Gyan Jyoti Vidhyapeeth, Jaipur. She started skating at seven and has won 13 medals in district, state, and open national competitions. She practices at JP Skating Club, trains daily, and considers Neeraj Chopra as her role model. Aashima believes in the importance of early morning practice, staying away from mobile and TV, and engaging in sports to stay sharp and healthy.
The Initiation
Aashima earlier observed other children skate as she went for her usual evening strolls with her parents. Her enthusiasm in skating gradually grew once her father made her join skating. She is now skating with her coach Sanjay at Rajasthan's first international track in Jaipur.
Gurus & Role Models
Her parents encourage her for every competition and in every situation and she learns to skate under the direction of her coach, Sanjay. Aashima works out every day on the road and the track at JP Skating Club under the guidance of her instructor. She also works out at the gym, goes swimming, cycling, and trekking. Her instructor teaches her a variety of skills, including sprints, side pushes, double pushes, finishing, and starter drills. Neeraj Chopra, who won an Olympic gold medal for India, is someone she looks up to. She aspires to become like him and win a gold medal for the country at the Olympics.
The Talent
Skating, according to Aashima, encompasses a variety of races, such as 1000 mtrs, 2000 mtrs, 500 mtrs, or 1-lap events. She says her concentration has increased now that she is skating and she has been able to pay better attention to academics. By indulging in skating, she feels more fit and energetic.
Achievements
Aashima has competed in skating events at the district, state, and open national levels, winning thirteen medals. In the Open District competition, she took home three gold medals, while in another district competition, she earned two silver and one bronze. She also took part in Open National and State competitions. In addition to skating, she excels at painting and crafts.
A Bit More
Aashima gets up early and practices on the track every day at four in the morning. She runs fifteen kilometers on the road three times in a week, skates for an hour on the track, and spends time exercising in the gym and skating twenty-five kilometers. She finds great motivation in the song "Chak De India" and the saying "Never let fear decide your future." She counsels other children to get up early in order to maintain their mental abilities, physical well-being, and enhanced ability to focus. Along with avoiding TV and mobile devices, they should participate in all sports. Aashima requests the authorities to build world class skating tracks in the country for young skaters to practice on it.
