Kudla Lad Ashwyn D’Silva Qualifies for World Ice Skating Championship in Austria

Kudla Lad Ashwyn D’Silva Qualifies for World Ice Skating Championship in Austria

Mangaluru: Mangaloreans should be proud of this young teen who is one of the only two Ice Skaters from India to qualify for the World Ice Skating Championship to be held in Austria. This young teen is none other than Ashwyn D’Silva, a First Year PUC student at St Aloysius PU College-Mangaluru. Son of Alwyn D’Silva, an entrepreneur managing an excavating firm in Mangaluru, and Asha D’Silva, who is an MCC Corporator, Ashwin has the full support of his parents ever since he showed interests in sports activities- and he says that his parents were the inspiration behind all his sports activities so far.

But one would be surprised as to how a young teen from Mangaluru could take up the Ice Skating Sport, where we don’t have freezing winters or freezing snow fall to take up the hobby of Ice Skating. What makes it interesting is Ashwyn hailing from Mangaluru where there are no facilities for a sport like ice skating, and ice is probably only known to be used to preserve fish or preserve other perishable items.

Speaking to Team Mangalorean, Alwyn D’Silva, the father of Ashwyn said, “Couple of months back, at Bulgaria, my son surpassed the qualifying time required for World Junior Short track Championships to be held in Austria from 25th to 27th January 2017. Being one of the only two athletes from India this year to achieve this feat, speaks volume of his commitment, dedication and hard work. I feel proud of my son because he has achieved so much at this age. When he was quite young he was very shy and was not much interested in taking up any co-curricular activities or any sport activities. But eventually, he started to get trained in roller skating, took up cycling hobby, and gradually reached greater heights through his commitment, dedication and love for the sport that he liked”.

Ashwyn D’Silva started roller skating in the year 2008 at the age of eight under the coaching of Mahesh Kumar. He won his first silver medal for Dakshina Kannada in the year 2012 in Belgaum and in 2014 won the silver medal for Karnataka in the National championships. He started ice skating in the year 2012 under the tutelage of Avaduth Tawade who is also the Indian short track speed skating coach and bagged his first national silver medal in the very next year and has been winning medals every year. To maintain the supreme fitness level required for the sport, Ashwyn indulges in several other intensive sports too.

He had finished second in a triathlon and finished first in a 200 km cycling race, both held in Mangaluru. As a result of his focus and commitment, he was selected for the Indian National Short Track team and has represented India in various ice skating championships. He was placed 6th in the World Development Cup which was held in Australia, 2016. Recently Ashwyn had undergone advanced training in Korea for four months under Chun Ki Park after being selected in the national trials. In November 2016, he cleared the qualifying time in Bulgaria and got selected for the World Junior Championship which is to be held in Austria this month, where he is now heading to. He will be also representing India in the Asian championships in Japan to be held in February 2017.

Speaking to Mangalorean.com, Asha D’Silva, the mother of Ashwyn said, ” I am really overwhelmed and proud of my son’s success in the Ice Skating events. I can’t believe that my son has reached greater heights in these sporting events, since he was a very calm and shy kid. While I take care of his nutrition and diet, his dad takes care of his sporting activities. I feel proud of my son that apart from Roller Skating/Ice Skating events, he has proven his achievements in Triathlon, Brevet Cycling and many other sporting events. My sincere thanks to Mangalorean.com for highlighting the efforts and achievements of my son, and encouraging him to do his best in the World Ice Skating Championship in Austria”.

Few hours before his departure by flight from Mangaluru-Mumbai-Austria, I had close encounters with him for few minutes, where I asked him what are his aspirations and dreams, to which he replied, “My dream is to someday represent India in short track speed skating at Winter Olympics. Since no Indian has done it before, I want to accomplish it. My determination, dedication, unwavering focus and hard work and also due to the unconditional support from my parents, I have achieved my goals, Asked whether he is confident of winning big at the Austria World Ice Skating Championship, he said, ” I am confident I can achieve it, but everything is in the hands of God. It will be a tough competition to face against the other top skaters of the world- but I will do my best to win the Gold. Wish me luck”.

Team Mangalorean wishes Ashwyn all the very best to achieve his dreams, and come out in flying colors in his sporting endeavors.

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• Kudla Kids bag Gold Medals at XIII Nat’l Ice Skating Championships