Adyar Student Samvit Venkaatesh Wins Bronze at Asia Inline Freestyle Championship

Samvit Venkaatesh, a 16-year-old Class 11 student of Sishya School in Adyar, won a bronze medal in the Inline Freestyle Classic Slalom at the Saitama Inline Freestyle Asia Championship held in Saitama, Japan.

The championship saw skaters from across Asia and other nations competing across multiple categories, with a 17-member contingent representing India. In the competition, performances were evaluated by a panel of five judges who scored participants on trick difficulty, variety, execution, control, stability, transitions, speed, rhythm, and cone line management.

Samvit began skating at the age of seven, initially starting with speed skating before moving into Inline Freestyle due to his interest in its combination of tricks, creativity, and balance. Encouraged by his parents, Venkaatesh MN and Samhita M, he maintained a rigorous training schedule that included three hours of daily practice divided between early morning and evening sessions while balancing his school studies.

Over the past seven years, Samvit has trained primarily under the Jai Skating Academy. His training routine in the city has alternated between various venues, including the SMS Skating Nanganallur Rink, the SSR Sports facility, and the SS Sports Village. He has also taken part in short-duration coaching sessions with other coaches in India and internationally during his annual school vacations.

Reflecting on his routine in Saitama, Samvit noted that competing against top skaters provided a valuable learning experience. He acknowledged that minor execution mistakes affected his final score, reinforcing the need to maintain composure, consistency, and focus under pressure during routines. He stated that the bronze medal finish has driven him to train harder for future competitions.

Following his performance at the championship in Japan, Samvit has turned his focus to preparing for the World Skate Games scheduled to be held in Paraguay in October, where he aims to secure another medal.