Skating prodigy shines with gold, bronze at district championships

Apeejayites are always ready to add innumerable feathers into their caps. Among these exceptional students is the budding skating sensation, Mishti Saini. She is a remarkable student from class III at Apeejay School, Model Town and has brought laurels to the school with a stunning display of talent and determination. Daughter of proud parents, Muskan Saini and Gagandeep Saini, she has seized the spotlight by clinching a gold and a bronze medal in the fiercely competitive Under-11 category at the District Skating Championship. With her exceptional prowess on wheels, Mishti has earned her well-deserved ticket to the upcoming State Championship in Mohali, scheduled for the end of October.

Mishti has also secured the 2^nd position in skating in the prestigious Khedan Watan Punjab Dian 2023, competing in the challenging Under-14 category. This outstanding achievement has paved her way to the Punjab Khel Mela State Tournament 2023, set to take place in Sangrur, Punjab. The little champion is now all set to showcase her mettle in both the 1000-meter and 500-meter races in the quads skates category.

Mishti’s passion for skating has taken her to the Open Skating Championship 2023 in Kapurthala, Punjab where she secured the silver medal and left an indelible mark. However, she isn’t just a prodigious skater; she has multifaceted talent. She is a classical dancer of extraordinary grace and a National UCMAS champion.

With a bright future ahead, Mishti is a shining example of young talent, dedication, and versatility. In a quick Interview the mother shares her daughter’s exceptional journey through these achievements.

Read on…

When did Mishti’s passion for skating first ignite?

She got into skating during COVID-19 because her brother was into it and she really liked it. For about a year, she learnt the techniques from her brother. Then we noticed her genuine interest and her father also had a strong desire to see her in sports. Therefore, we decided to enroll her in a professional skating academy and she’s been there for over a year now.

Do you consider skating as a potential career for her?

Yes. However, it’s not the only thing she’s good at. She’s also a classical dancer, she has won a National level UCMAS competition and she’s quite the artist too. We’re pretty relaxed about her future as she’s got plenty of talents to fall back on.

What was her practice schedule during the district championship?

It was quite intense! She practiced for at least three hours a day. Two of those hours were in the morning and another at the academy. She’s permanently attached to her skates throughout the day.

Mishti became a gold medallist at such a young age. How does it make you feel?

It is a very big achievement! I remember when she participated in the district roller skating championship, we were really thrilled but honestly, we didn’t know what to expect. But as soon as she hit the track, she was literally flowing in the air. Her coach couldn’t believe it either and she won the gold by a big margin. At that moment, I couldn’t help but shed tears of joy. Even her grandfather was beaming with pride.

How does she cope up with the performance pressure?

She has mentioned that she gets a little nervous right before the whistle blows, but she always tells me that she draws strength from Babaji (Guru Nanak Devji), and once that whistle goes, she’s off for her target. She believes that a strong start sets the tone for the race. The pressure is on, especially in that initial minute.

Has she ever mentioned the fear of competition?

Yes, the competition can get a little hard on her sometimes. During the Punjab Mela tournament, she got a bit jittery because her competitors were older. She even asked me, “Mumma! Do I need to race against these kids?” But I assured her that it’s about doing her best and gaining experience, not just winning. So, she took a deep breath and went for it.

What role have you, as parents, played in her significant achievements?

I always wanted her to be into any kind of sport. Therefore, initially I tried to spark her interest in chess for its mental benefits, but when we saw her skating talent, her father and I jumped on board to support her. Her father plays a massive role in her journey. He is dedicated and makes sure he’s there for her tournaments and practices, even if it means taking time off from work.

Since she has qualified for the state championship, what strategies or plans are in place for that upcoming event?

Her coach is putting in all the hard work for the preparation. They’re taking her to various locations to get used to different surfaces. She’s even trying road races, which means she has to work even harder to build up her stamina. I am sure all the hard work will be worth it. After all, it’s all part of the journey to success and once she wins the state, she will eventually participate in the nationals.