Roller skating is a popular sport in Mysore city and many roller skaters have gone on to do well in the International-level. City’s Varsha S. Puranik, a talented roller skater who is the National champion in the women’s category for the last five successive years, performed well in the 52nd National Roller Skating Championships held at Navi Mumbai on Thursday and won gold in the women’s 500mtrs event and won her 36th gold in the National Championships. She is our ‘Star This Week.’
Varsha was awarded the prestigious Ekalavya Award by the Govt. of Karnataka last year. She represented India in the World Games-2013 at Cali, Colombia and fared well.
Varsha, 25, is a II year MD Microbiology student, JSS Medical College, Mysuru. She is the proud daughter of R. Srirama Krishna (retd. IOB) and Thara Srirama who have been of great support and encouragement to Varsha. Her elder brother Sri Harsha’s roller skating exploits inspired her also to take up to this sport.
Starting skating at a young age of three, Varsha began her basics at Bal Bhavan Roller Skating rink under the guidance of Ravi in 1990. She joined Vishwamithra Roller Skating Club in 1993 and started to train under the guidance of late K. Sridhar Rao at J.K. Grounds. Presently she trains with R. Srikanta Rao, a Ekalavya Awardee, at the Rao’s Roller Skating Club.
Varsha has represented Karnataka in 17 National Championships and has emerged a top roller skater in the junior and senior sections. She has been the consecutive National champion in the senior category in the National championships representing Karnataka for the last five years. She emerged as the fastest skater in the country in 2008 and 2010 Nationals.
Varsha first represented the country in the International level in 2001 in the World Inline Speed Skating Championships at France in 2001 and took part in the 10km race and finished 16th. She got her first International medal when she was part of the Indian relay team which won the bronze medal in the 5km relay event in the Asian Roller Skating Championships.
In 2003, she represented India in the World Junior Championships at Venezuela (5km race-finished 15th). In 2004, she represented India in the 10th Asian Championships at Japan and finished 4th in the Individual event.
In 2010 she represented India in the 16th Asian Games at Guangzhou, China and finished 7th in the 3000m Time Trials.
In 2012, Varsha took part in the Wold Championships and finished among top 20 skaters and qualified for the World Games.
Varsha intends to continue the sport and aims to work hard and has a goal to win a Individual medal representing India. She is a hard worker and that has yielded results and hope she achieves her goal in the days to come.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / January 25th, 2015