Studying in twelfth grade at the Boaz Public School in Gowrivakkam, Chennai, sixteen year old youngstar, Karthika Jagadeeswaran hails from Tamil Nadu. She is an International Speed Skater and is honing her skills to achieve more in future. She has won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in the Asian Games and other tournaments along with 28 national medals. She believes that self-motivation and believing in yourself are key to success.

The Initiation

Karthika started practicing skating at the age of four. Once, she saw many people skating in the ring and got fascinated by the speed and was inspired to pursue this sport. She joined skating in 2011 and played her first national in 2017 and till now she has achieved 28 national medals.

Gurus & Role Models

Karthika is practicing skating under the guidance of her coach Mr. Sathya Moorthy at Sathya Speed Skating Academy (SSSA). She says that her coach is very kind to everyone and teaches her everything politely. He makes her understand every technique properly and then lets her practice it. Her coach has produced many international skaters and medalists and she feels proud to be a part of his tutelage. She looks up to Dr. Aarathy Kasturi Raj who is a doctor and an international skater as well as international medalist. Karthika admires her skating skills and how she balances studies and sports. She has participated in many internationals and serves as a true inspiration for kids in skating.

The Talent

Karthika describes that Speed Skating is a competitive sport. The skaters race against each other while traveling a certain particular distance on skates. It is also helpful in improvising the mind's calculative power. She says that skating mainly requires ability, agility, balance and endurance.

Achievements

Karthika has won around 28 national medals and six state and district medals. She also won a bronze medal in the Asian Games held in China last year, a gold medal in the 36th national games and a silver medal in the 19th Asian Roller Skating Championship. She also got many cash rewards from the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M. K. Stalin.

A Bit More

Apart from sports, Karthika is also doing well in her academics. She scored 90% marks in tenth grade. She believes that sports motivates her to do well in studies. The quote “No one can defeat you until you do it yourself” inspires and motivates her. You have to beat your own record, she says. She advises youngsters that practicing a sport apart from studies is good for achieving success in life.