Mangalore : 

For the first time in the history of ice skating in India, two girls from Mangalore have the won awards at the international level in the sport.

The duo are Seeliya Simmith, silver medalist, and Avani S Kumar, bronze medalist. They took part in the short track speed skating, a form of ice skating at the ‘World Development Trophy- 2013’ held in Singapore, organized by the International Skating Union.

A total of five contestants had represented India in the events – two girls from Mangalore, a girl and a boy from Maharashtra, and a boy from Bangalore.

Seeliya Simmith is the daughter of P A Mohammed and Asma Mohammed, and resident of Pandeshwar. She is pursuing her Class 10 from Lourdes Central School, Bejai. She has been getting trained in roller skating for nearly seven years. She has also taken special training in ice skating from Shimla in almost -2 degrees and from Leh Ladakh, Kashmir, in nearly -30 degrees.

Avani S Kumar, daughter of Suresh Kumar and Sundari, is a resident of Kadri Vyasa Nagar, and is pursuing her 7th standard from St Theresa School. She has been training from nearly six years. She attended the ice-skating camp last December in Shimla and has won the gold in the event there and got selected to this international event.

The two are the students of Mangalore Roller Skating Club, trained by Mahesh Kumar.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / Pics: Ramesh Pandith / by DaijiWorld Media Network – Mangalore (BG) / April 15th, 2013