The recent skating trials held in Mohali, Punjab, for the final selection of participants in the upcoming Asian Games, witnessed Maharashtra emerging with the highest number of skaters making it to the team. Out of the 10 skaters selected, a remarkable seven are from Pune.
These seven talented skaters, namely Vikram Ingle, Siddhant Kamble, Jinesh Nanal, Vishvesh Patil, Shreyasi Joshi, Swarali Joshi, and Yashodhan Patil, are now gearing up for the 19th Asian Games scheduled to take place in Hangzhou, China, in September-October.
Among the finalists is 19-year-old Jinesh Nanal, a first-year B-Tech student from MIT-WPU. Jinesh embarked on his skating journey at the age of four as a roller skater and later switched to inline freestyle skating, a highly popular sport in Asia. At the tender age of nine, he represented India in several prestigious competitions such as the Asian Championship in Korea and the World Championship in the Netherlands in 2018.
“Jinesh has been involved in skating for the past 10-12 years and is currently an eight-time national gold medalist. He has been selected for two events, Speed Slalom and Pair Slalom, along with Swarali Joshi, for the upcoming Asian Games,” stated his proud mother, Dr. Sheetal Nanal. She expressed her confidence that Jinesh is putting in all efforts to make his mark at the Asian Games.
“All the players were chosen based on their talent, whether it’s Vijram, Siddhant, or Jinesh. They train for 6-8 hours a day in two sessions, morning and evening, with each session comprising at least 3 hours. They also engage in yoga and meditation sessions to enhance their focus. The training includes joint camps where all skaters train together for the Asian Games,” shared coach Asutosh Japtap.
Elaborating on his rigorous preparation routine, Jinesh explained, “I wake up at 5:30 am and train from 6 to 8:30 am at Kothrud. After resting at home, I study for a while and then train again from 6 pm to 9 pm at Maharastriya Mandal in Mukundnagar.”
Shreyasi Joshi, another talented skater, commenced her skating journey at the tender age of three. She has been a national champion in inline freestyle skating for eight years. At the age of 12, she proudly represented the country at the World Roller Games in 2017, and now she is set to showcase her skills at the Asian Games in the Pair Slalom segment.
Expressing her joy upon being selected, Shreyasi stated, “I am delighted to represent our country on such a grand stage like the Asian Games, particularly in the pair category. I am training for six hours a day, aiming to secure one of the top three positions and bring home a medal for India.”
Visvhesh Patil, who embarked on his skating journey at the age of four and represented India at the 18th Asian Roller Skating Championship in 2018, shared his excitement, saying, “I am extremely proud to be selected for the Asian Games. It is one of the biggest sporting events, and representing India is a dream come true. I will strive for a gold medal.”
The seven talented skaters from Pune are now determined to give their best performance at the Asian Games and make the nation proud. Their dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport have earned them a well-deserved place in the prestigious event, and they are poised to showcase their skills on the international stage.
