In the cricket dominating country, Ice Skating is a rare sport. Making a mark in the sport is rarest, but nothing in this world is impossible. Even the most impossible things bow down in front of human capabilities and willpower. Today’s entry Mr. Vishwaraj Jadeja who is an Indian ice-skater, does represent the saying. He worked hard to make a space in the game. For him, skating was the vessel into which he poured his heart and soul. So come, let’s know more about his life and experiences.
Aashna- Vishwaraj, tell us more about yourself.
Vishwaraj Jadeja – Hi, my name is Vishwaraj Jadeja. I’m an Indian ice-skater with the world’s highest 5kms record, 65 national records, 220 races for India. I’m currently preparing to qualify for the winter Olympics 2022 for India and become the first Indian athlete for the sport. I was born and brought up in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
I had a normal childhood and studied Science at some point before becoming the national champion. I’m a 3rd generation sportsperson in the family, so it was evident that I was going to take up sports. My family background played a significant role in this area. My father was a national-level skater. Both my father and aunt had been national-level champions, and one of the aunts represented India at the world championships for roller figure skating in 1983.
So the benchmark in my family was high. They had always motivated me to choose a sport. So out of everything, I chose Ice skating. Before ice-skating, I was pursuing roller skating.
Aashna- How did it all start? Since when you are in this sport?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – It started from the day my parents had gifted me roller skates. I loved it, and I used to skate in my home and outside. My dad was my coach, and he used to train me every morning at 4 am. I’d skate on the road, and he’d come from behind on the scooter and stick in his hand. My dad wanted to make a roller skater champion, so he made me work hard.
At that time, I was in school, but education didn’t interest me at all. My mother was very possessive about my education, but I was passionate about skating, and it fascinated me to no end. Whenever I’d skate, I’d feel free and light as if someone has taken all the burdens from my shoulders. I dedicated ten years of my life to roller skating. In 1999, I had my first nationals every year. I was going up and more up. The phases of training were becoming harder with each passing year.
I was a state champion for three years in a row, and I was awarded Sardar Patel Achievement Award for excellence. Add a national gold and the best performer for the Indian team at the world championships 2008 and an Indian National Vice Captain for Inline Hockey at the Asian championships. So roller skating is the point from where everything began.
Aashna- What went wrong with your education?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – Well, I would say the Indian education system is not meant for me. Other things attracted me more. Education didn’t interest me at all. I was kicked out of one school for missing my first term exams because I was playing hockey somewhere. I got a gold medal in skating, but I barely passed my 12th class with a minimum percentage.
My mother wanted me to get a degree, so I enrolled in Engineering. I was studying electrical engineering, but I stopped abruptly as I couldn’t stay away from the ground. I changed four universities and got kicked out of each one of them because I wanted to go nationals or skate. My parents and teachers were disappointed. On the other hand, I made it clear that I’ll go with it only if I like something and want to make my career out of it. The rest, I’m not bothered about it.
Aashna- Why did you quit roller skating despite achieving a high position? What motivated you to choose Ice Skating?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – Roller Skating is not in the Olympics. When you dedicate ten years of your life to a sport, you want to represent your country in that sport at the Olympics. So at the time, shifting to Ice Skating Long track speed skating seemed like a logical choice.
So I took up a loan to study computer science in Denmark. I convinced the authorities to let me in despite having 41% and did it for a change. It was very unexpected, but my life is full of unexpected twists and turns, so I wasn’t surprised. I shifted to Denmark, but the goal was to go to the Netherlands. After taking up a part-time job to manage my finance, I stayed in an apartment with five other Indians.
I raced in Sweden, which was my first Ice Skating race. People were surprised to see an Indian Ice Skater. I got disqualified because I didn’t know the rules properly yet, which was the last time I got disqualified. But a Swedish coach came to me and said, ‘Vishwaraj do you know what were you doing?’ I said, ‘I’m skating.’ He helped me to sharpen my blades then I began to participate in more races.
Three coaches nodded to train me after reading my story in the biggest long-track skating magazine. I selected the champion maker Wim Niuwenhuizen. He said, ‘Vish if you are crazy enough to come from India to play this sport. Then I’m crazy enough to train you.’ That was the turning point of my life, and it shaped my life in a different but better way.
Aashna- What did you do to master the sport, and how was the starting for you?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – You have to train harder and regularly, and you have to train yourself over and over again. So it’s always determination. No matter what the obstacles will be in the future. You find the right coach, and there you are. That’s it. Ten years later, we are here!
Aashna- What were the reasons that inspired you to go to a mountain to skate, and how challenging it was for you?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – For me, 2018 was the first goal to try to qualify for the Olympics. Just before the ice skating season, I got injured. So I slipped into depression for a while. But I tried to figure out what I have to do or my goal in my life. One of my friends recommended going to the Himalayan mountains and finding yourself. I made a plan, found a sponsor, and went to Pangong Lake, to Ladakh.
So it was always on my mind to explore and not to sit in one place. Finding something interesting is the real motto of my life. So it was an obvious choice to go to Ladakh to visit the lake I always wanted to visit. In winter, it freezes, so I decided to do ice skating on it in minus 30° or 40° temperature.
Aashna- How do you adjust to such a cold climate?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – We need to layer up. Some thermals come to tackle the cold. Mainly, it’s all about the mindset. The cold does win in the end. It’s just about how long you can tolerate it.
Aashna- How was your experience with people when you were practicing in India?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – The general idea of a sport in India is very skewed. Indians don’t differentiate or understand the difference between a sport and a game. Some of them are very enthusiastic and a bit aware, so they figure out that these guys are trying something different. They want to ask questions.
That’s very good. But for the masses, sports is not their priority. So we keep doing the things we want to do, and we hope that people will understand and give it some value and energy at some point. Skating and winter sport is famous in India in the northern parts like Ladakh and Kashmir. Other than that, you will rarely find it.
Although, I never stressed too much over the sarcastic comments, queries, free advice, and what people think or say. That may be the reason why I survived here for such a long time.
Aashna- Did your family have an objection regarding it?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – Yes, my family had an objection. Still, all parents want the best for their kids letting their child away to a foreign land to pursue something which has never been done before had to be a very nerve-wracking idea. But they support me now. After my four medals at the winter games masters this year, my mom called me to congratulate me and said, ‘It would have been good if you would have completed your graduation.’ I laughed over her comment.
Another thing I would like to add is that society will always have an objection about it, but I don’t wish to complain that this thing or the other is bad. I don’t care about it.
Aashna- Where do you think India should develop?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – It’s the mindset. The government needs to be supportive of the primary priority, the education system. I think that will work out well. Other things will come automatically. I don’t have any objection, but the mindset needs to be changed altogether. If the mindset of the general people changes, why will the government not support it? That is my outlook instead of a list of complaints. If there’s no demand for the sport, why would the government invest in it?
So it’s all about the mindset. The Gujarat Government has supported a % of the funding every year now, which is a great help. That, I would say, is a step in the right direction.
Aashna- Were there any restrictions regarding your lifestyle or food, or do you need to put on yourself?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – I control my food habits and meeting friends. Like it’s been four years, I haven’t eaten in a restaurant. We have to be very concerned about what we eat. With the training schedule, your everyday social life is entirely out of the window. So yeah, restrictions are there, but I learned to adjust to them.
Aashna- When was the time you went for your first medal or a competition?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – For roller skating, it was in 1999 and for ice skating was in 2010. For the state championship, I won three bronze medals and a club championship cup in Scandinavia for ice skating.
Aashna- What is happening currently in your life, like practicing and all?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – The basic preparations, training to make myself the fittest athlete at this point. We have a dedicated trainer, sponsors, and helpers.
Aashna- What is your inspiration?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – It’s mostly the Olympic ring. I am wearing the India jersey and speed suit. That’s it.
Aashna- What life lessons you’ve learned that can inspire others?
Vishwaraj Jadeja – Work Hard. I’m not that inspiring!
Vishwaraj, our best wishes are with you. May you win the Olympics and make our country proud.
Vishwaraj Jadeja
World Record:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDtNRbutk0o&ab_channel=OnThinIce
Tedtalk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYK_s2_buaA&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
Promo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88Bk_6Bh6so
https://www.facebook.com/vishwaraj.professional.athlete/
https://www.instagram.com/wishwaraj/
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