Rolling away to glory: Khyati Anupozu

All 14 years, Hyderabadi girl Khyati Anupozu, is all set to roll at the upcoming 18th Asian Roller Skating Championship in Namwon, South Korea, from September 4 to 14. She will be representing the country along with her skating partner E Rahul Krishna Sai (16).

“We moved to Marredpally about eight years ago and the academy is exactly opposite to our house and I used to watch people skating in the ring. I asked my mother if I could join the academy too because I was seeing little kids doing all the jumps and tricks on the skates and that spiked my interest more in skating. Now after seven years I will be participating in Asians,” says the teenager, who is trained by Anup Kumar Yama, an Arjuna Award recipient.

Khyati, who started roller skating in 2013, has won 34 gold, 12 silver and six bronze medals in the district and national-level competitions. She has won a silver in solo dance in 2017. Khyati informs that she is also trained in freestyle, artistic solo dance, pair dance, figure skating.

“I am very excited as I am representing India along with my academy, coaches, my parents and school,” says the Class X student of Delhi Public School (Diamond Point, Bowenpally).

As any sport requires strict regimen and fitness an athlete has to stick a particular diet. “I am a foodie and I can’t live without eating chocolates. However, when I got selected for Asians I stopped eating junk food. And I am following a strict diet. I have a glass of milk with dry fruits in the morning and evening and only dosa or idli for breakfast as eating heavy is not advised for us,” she shares.

About her favourite dish, she says, “I love anything that is sweet (laughs),” and adds that Sunday is her cheat day. “Sunday is my free day. I eat chicken on Sunday and after that, I eat sweets.”

When asked what she will do after winning the medal the teenage foodie with a sweet tooth says, “Hopefully, after winning the medal, I will surely have lots of food in South Korea. I don’t know about Hyderabad, but I will fill my stomach in South Korea only and come (laughs).”

The duo attended three training camps since May 2018 and currently are in Chandigarh and from here they will leave for South Korea.