Rising star in skating rink

A dozen medals, pile of certificates and a will to succeed describe young Nidhi Ahlawat.

Basking in the glory of her recent win at the 49th National Roller Hockey Competition, this young girl from Faridabad fell in love with skates at the age of five.

The beginning
Once when her father took her to Gymkhana Club, she saw a group of kids practising roller skates. At that instant she knew roller skating is what she wants to pursue. Her father complied with her demand of a pair of skates and since then she never looked back.

Initial wins
Her first win in the district level competition brought her a gold medal and the state level competition held in Ambala saw her wining a bronze medal. It was after these wins she was put in proper guidance of coach David John and then on she continued excelling in this game.

Grateful to parents
My parents have always supported me. "My mother has always supported me in pursuing my passion. My parents had faith in my abilities and luckily I met their expectations," says Nidhi.

Discipline is the key to success
For the past seven years, Nidhi has put in a lot of hard work in this game. She wakes up at 5 in the morning and reaches the ground for practice. She gives equal importance to both studies and her passion for skating.

Hobbies
Nidhi doesn't get much time for other activities but when she gets a long stretch of holidays she loves reading books and swimming.

Inspiration
"I idolise Sania Mirza. When I see her playing tennis I feel that I too can make my country and parents proud with my hard work and persistence," feels Nidhi.

Support your girl child
This young skater appeals all the parents to feel proud of your girl child and help her excel in her passion.

The final destination
Nidhi wants to pursue skating as a professional and she dreams of representing India in the international competitions and make the country proud with her game.

Achievements
"I bagged the gold medal in the in-line Hockey Nationals held by the Roller Skating Federation of India," she informs. Earlier in 2011, she bagged two silver medals and one bronze medal in the Haryana Olympics, one silver medal and one bronze medal at the State Federation competition held at Kurukshetra and two silver medals in the CBSE North Zone Roller Skating competition.

--Priyanka Nair