“I’m AK Ansari, a national skating champion and trainer. My journey with skating started back in 2008 when I was just 12 years old. I watched the bollywood movie Badal, which had a skating scene that caught my attention. Something about it inspired me, and the next day, I decided to look for a skating center in my hometown.
Convincing my family, however, was a different story. My father wasn’t happy with the idea, but my mother supported me. Coming from a small town, pursuing a sport like skating wasn’t common. People barely knew about it, and most attention went to cricket or badminton. But I didn’t want to give up.
At that time, life wasn’t easy. I was juggling my studies and doing small jobs to help my family. Things became even harder when my father passed away in 2010. I had to take on more responsibilities, but my mother always encouraged me to keep skating. One of my proudest moments during those years was completing a skating tour from Banaras to Bihar. It felt great to see my friends and family proud of me.
After finishing my 12th grade, I decided to focus completely on skating. My coach, MD Sayeed sir, played a big role in shaping my skills. Over the years, I’ve competed in many national and district-level events, winning six gold medals along the way. Recently, I won gold at the 2023-24 Amritsar Championship. It was a huge moment for me personally.
I started training others in 2012, and since then, I’ve had the chance to work with students from all over India and even from 13 other countries. I’ve also trained many skaters from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and it’s been amazing to see their dedication and interest in the sport.
Skating still doesn’t get the attention it deserves in India. Most people don’t consider it a serious sport, but I want to change that. At my skating center, I’m trying to create a space where anyone who loves skating can train and grow. Soon, I’ll be representing India at international championships, and I hope it inspires more people to take up skating.”
- AK Ansari, National Skater