A twelfth grade student, Anushka Mehta started practicing skating at the age of four. She has won 31 national and 60 state medals in Inline Speed Skating, and has also improved her physical fitness and agility. She has been selected to represent India in various tournaments since 2021 and also represented the country in the 19th Asian Roller Skating Championship. She has been practicing skating at Krishna Academy of Alternative Sports under her coach Rajendrasinh Jadeja.
The Initiation
Anushka is a twelfth-grade student and also a medical aspirant. She began learning skating when she was four since her parents saw it fit to use her energy by getting her involved in a sport. Then she joined St. Xavier's Loyola, a local skating rink.
Gurus & Role Models
Anushka began skating in 2011 under the direction of. Rajendrasinh Jadeja, an instructor in the Krishna Academy of Alternative Sports. In addition, she received direction and support from the late Rahul Rane, and her family and parents are an important part of her support network. She also looks up to her seniors in speed skating, drawing inspiration and drive from them as well. She also holds great respect for Meet Shah, Vishwaraj Jadeja, Nikunj Meghani, Kuldeep Pal, Dr. Aarathy Kasturi Raj, and Dr. Varsha Puranik since they have excelled academically in addition to reaching new heights in skating.
The Talent
Inline Speed Skating is one of the numerous roller skating disciplines, explains Anushka. A competitive activity, inline speed skating is done on tracks and also in road events with distances ranging from 100 meters to 42 kilometers for marathons. Enhancing agility, balance, flexibility, and speed power—all crucial for pursuing this sport— the sport helps maintain physical health.
Achievements
Anushka has taken home 31 national medals, 60 state medals, and won the state championships eight times. Since 2021, she has been chosen to compete for Team India. She also represented India at the 19th Asian Roller Skating Championship and secured the fifth position.
A Bit More
Before the Asian Championships last year, she used to practice for four to five hours every day. The quote “Remember your dreams and fight for them, you must know what you want from life. There is just one thing that makes your dream become impossible and it is a fear of failure” motivates her. Her advice to the youth is that you only need to believe in yourself and know that everyone has potential. She advises working and training hard, and never giving up on your dreams of success. If you want to glow like a star, you must burn like a star, and don't skip on your nutrition or sleep, she says.
