The 19-year-old Kairavi Falguni Thakkar of Hyderabad would experience a unique moment as she would be part of the Indian quartet, which would represent the country for the first time in an international artistic roller-skating championship – 18th Asian Championship – in Seoul (South Korea) from September 4.
The others in the quartet include Sujanitha Raghunathan, I.K. Pranamya Rao and N.L. Vacasya from Chennai.
The quartet of these gifted athletes christened Malaha (a combination of beauty, elegance and grace in Arabic) is currently training in Chandigarh. They will have to perform synchronous skating in an artistic fashion to a particular theme in the competition.
The whole idea was conceived by Pradeepak Malvai of Roller Skating Federation of India, who formed the group.
Huge opportunity
“All the best solo performers in roller-skating were asked to form a team and we found it to be exciting as well as a huge opportunity,” Ms. Kairavi told The Hindu.
For someone who has been a medallist in artistic skating since 2008, Ms. Kairavi, now a second-year BA student at St. Francis, is thrilled to be a part of the quartet.
“This initiative will encourage several more to participate and excel in this elegant sport,” says Ms. Kairavi, who represented India in the World Roller Games last year.
The Indian quartet would be competing against some of the formidable teams from countries like Japan, Taiwan and China.
Tough opponents
“We will be up against very tough opponents. So our primary objective will be to not set new standards for others to follow and not let down the country. We are determined to pull off a special performance,” she says.
“I must thank SATS top official A. Dinakar Babu for ensuring a quality rink at Gymkhana Grounds. We wish to see more youth take up skating,” she signs off with a grin.