Bhubaneswar : Historic Victory at Asian Roller Skating Championship
17-year-old Naisha Mehta from Mumbai made history by becoming the first Indian junior skater to win the Gold Medal in the Junior Girls Solo Dance category at the 20th Asian Roller Skating Championship held in South Korea. She won with a commanding lead of 6.72 points, marking her international debut with a spectacular performance.
Early Beginnings and Rise in Skating
Naisha started skating at just 4-and-a-half years old. What began as a casual activity soon turned serious when she competed in Nationals at age 8 and won a gold medal in her very first year, motivating her to elevate her game continuously.
Skating and Artistic Training
Her training is unique because besides skating, she also trains in gymnastics and Odissi dance, and has pursued ballet for a couple of years. This holistic approach strengthens both the physical and artistic aspects required for her sport.
Academic Excellence Alongside Sports
Naisha is also an academic achiever, topping national and international math and science Olympiads such as Gauss, Pascal, SEAMO, and Dr. Homi Bhabha competitions. She also has performed in drama and is currently preparing for NEET 2026, balancing intense training schedules with her studies.
Challenges and Aspirations
She faces challenges like limited infrastructure in Mumbai where she trains in a basement sports complex and small outdoor rinks due to lack of proper skating facilities. Naisha aims to participate in the Pacific Cup and World Championships and plans to train internationally, especially in Italy and Portugal to prepare for these events.
Message to Young Girls Pursuing Sports
Naisha advises young girls to take the chance and not hold back, even if the path feels difficult or overwhelming initially. She emphasizes passion, effort, and perseverance as key to overcoming obstacles and achieving dreams.
Naisha Mehta’s journey is an inspiring tale of passion, dedication, and breaking new ground for India in the international roller-skating arena. She embodies the spirit of chasing dreams while balancing academics and sports with remarkable grace and determination .
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