Rollercoaster ride from local rinks to global podium: Skater boys from Gurgaon shine at Asian championships

Time of India

2 days ago

Gurgaon: "Jab bacche chalna seekhte hai, inhone skating karni shuru kar di thi (the age at which kids learn how to walk, these two had started skating)," Suman Yadav said of her son Krish (17) and his friend Devansh Sharma (18).
With the exception of different schools, Krish and Devansh have been inseparable since childhood. They'd go to practice together and hang out at each other's houses often.
It was in 2019 that they stepped into the rink of competitive skating for the first time. The duo, who initially trained in speed skating but shifted to inline hockey due to infrastructure necessities, was selected for the National Sub-Junior Championship that year.
You Can Also Check:
Gurgaon AQI
|
Weather in Gurgaon
|
Bank Holidays in Gurgaon
|
Public Holidays in Gurgaon
The competition cemented their path.
The big break came in 2023, when Krish and Devansh – together once again – were chosen to represent India's under 19 team in inline hockey at the 19th Asian Championship held in China. The team's last-place finish only fueled the teenagers' ambition, and years of practice and dedication paid off this week.
The two, along with another Gurgaon resident Kaviin Raghav, were part of India's 16-member team that won the bronze for inline hockey at the 20th Asian Roller Skating Championships, held in South Korea's Jecheon this July.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Knee Pain Keeping You Up at Night? This Trick Could Help Instantly
12facts.com
Read More
Undo
"When we first wore the Indian jersey in 2023, it felt like a dream come true. This medal feels even more special because we came from a place of failure. We worked harder, and finally reached the podium," Devansh, still standing alongside Krish at his house in the city, told TOI.
The Indian team, according to the teens, met its toughest opponent in Taiwan at the Asian Roller Skating Championships, but went on to win comfortably with a score of 3-1.
The boys then defeated Iran and South Korea before being pitted against China in the match for a bronze.
India led 2-1, but the opposition pressed hard.
"Krish literally put his body on the line. He took several hits from the puck — he has bruises all over — but he didn't flinch. That medal was earned with blood and grit," Devansh said.
Krish added, "This championship was a rollercoaster for all of us. We learned new things and made new friends.
This championship was one of the best experiences I have had in my journey till now."
Kaviin, the son of two electrical engineers who moved to Gurgaon from Tamil Nadu when he was only six months old, said he came into the mix later, but has been close to Devansh and Krish for a decade now.
"We have been playing together for 10 years. They are like my brothers, and they really supported me throughout this journey. They have played in three internationals, and as it was my first international (competition), they helped me deal with nervousness and anxiety," he said.
On the bronze medal, Kaviin said, "Representing the Indian national team was a proud moment for me. Not only for me, but for my family, my friends and my entire society."
The journey to the international stage wasn't easy for either. "We began practising in basketball courts because there were no proper skating rinks… The first rink we trained at came up in Samaspur village, and later we moved to a better facility at Vivekanand School," Devansh said.
Infrastructure wasn't easily available, but the skaters' families rallied behind them.
Devansh's grandfather, Colonel RK Sharma (retd), was a constant presence.
"He might skip a society meeting or a family function, but he never missed picking up Devansh from practice. He's like a coach, driver and biggest cheerleader -- all rolled into one," said a family friend.
Col Sharma said Devansh's father is in the Merchant Navy and his mother works for a corporate firm in the city.
"They (parents) are busy with work… I've seen Devansh and Krish's passion up close. I'm proud to support them however I can," the 75-year-old said.
India's, and the team's performance in South Korea has enthused the local community, but it has also given them reason to appeal the govt for support.
Families say they have spent Rs 5-6 lakh each on training camps, equipment, diets and travel — all from their own pockets.
"There's zero financial aid, no infrastructure support and no acknowledgement from the state.
These kids have the talent and the drive, but how long can families keep funding everything on their own," questioned Krish's father Narender Yadav, a businessman, said.
Krish's mother Suman said the families had even protested outside the then-Haryana sports minister's house in 2019. "We were hopeful things would change with a new govt, but the silence continues," she said.
Haryana's current sports minister did not respond to requests for comment till Sunday night.
For now, the boys are back to their routines, training harder and dreaming bigger. "We don't want to stop here. We want to win the World Championships for India, maybe even the Olympics, if the sport is introduced someday," said Devansh.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Friendship Day wishes
,
messages
and
quotes
!