Vizag girl stands out in global skating contest

Visakhapatnam: Bonthapalli Ashritha, a 16-year-old skater from Vizag has made the country proud by bagging the fourth position in Roller Derby Skating Category.

The championship was held in Barcelona, Spain on July 14 and Ashritha represented team India in World Roller Games 2019 (WRG).

Ashritha is a speed skater and she choose her stream as Roller Derby skating.

When asked about the criteria of the selection, she said, "We had two selection camps of World Roller Games. The first one was held in Nandurbar, Maharashtra from May 5 to 15 and I aced it over there."

She further adds "Later on, the second camp was held in Greater Noida, Delhi from June 14 to June 16. I got selected there too and from there we flew to Barcelona, Spain."

World Roller Games is one of the world's largest events comprising more than 4,000 athletes. It was a challenging situation for Ashritha to stand out. She recalls, "It was a tough competition.

The championship had 64 countries with each team consisting of 15 members. But the international players were supportive; especially the contestants from the US.

"They were much skilled and elder than us."

With regards to the championship every team member included 15 players, but the team India had only 9 players. "Comparatively our team had 9 members we did not have any coach to guide us, yet we exhibited good teamwork.

Well, that sets us apart from the rest of the teams. The players were really helpful and coached us a day before the tournament as we were not clear with the concept," she says.

When asked about how she balanced her academics with her passion. She says, "I started skating when I was seven years old. Since then I practiced 2 hours in the morning as well as in the evening.

I am completing my Intermediate from Sri Gayatri Junior College. My lecturers have been very supportive."

Ashritha follows a healthy lifestyle with a proper diet. She concludes, "I follow a morning diet before leaving for practice. I have a glass of milk and egg is compulsory with daily fruit juices.

I don't eat spicy food and I consume a lot of protein in my diet like chicken and mutton and good amount of water."