New Delhi, Jan. 20 (NationPress) India’s first professional woman speed skater Shruti Kotwal is set to lead her country at the Asian Winter Games (AWG) in Harbin, China, from February 7-14, as she aims for a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The AWG presents a significant opportunity for Shruti to measure her skills against the world’s elite skaters while vying for Olympic qualification. "I’m concentrating on the 500m and 1000m events for Olympic eligibility. The timing benchmarks are quite demanding — under 40 seconds for the 500m and less than 1:20 for the 1000m. My national record stands at 41.97 seconds, so I must break the 40 seconds mark to qualify," Shruti shared in an interview with SAI Media.

The sports ministry has approved a contingent of 41 athletes for the AWG, including speed skaters and their supporting staff. For Shruti, this will be her second appearance at the AWG, having previously participated in 2017 when the Asian meet was held in Japan.

“I’m excited to compete again at my second Asian Winter Games. Nations like South Korea, Japan, and China consistently produce exceptional skaters who excel technically and physically. I’ve encountered many of these athletes in prior competitions and am aware of their strengths. It’s a challenging field, but I view every race as a chance to push my limits and enhance my performance,” she remarked.

Shruti is currently training at the Utah Olympic Oval in the United States. This indoor speed skating venue, established for the 2002 Winter Olympics, has significantly influenced her career.

“Training in the US, especially at top-notch facilities like the Utah Olympic Oval, has been transformative. Access to world-class coaches, innovative training techniques, and one of the fastest ice surfaces globally has greatly improved my technique, stamina, and speed.

“Competing alongside and observing some of the best skaters here has motivated me to refine my skills and grasp the nuances of the sport. The atmosphere has been incredibly inspiring and demanding, accelerating my development,” Shruti explained.

This will mark the first occasion that India is represented by such a large group of skaters in China. In 2017, only three athletes participated, all being skaters. Several Indian speed skaters are currently training in Korea in preparation for Harbin 2025, with at least 24 nations expected to participate in the AWG.

Shruti is also looking forward to the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games 2025 in Ladakh while she trains in the US for the Asian Winter Games. As India’s pioneering professional woman speed skater, she excelled in her first appearance at the KIWG last year.

She believes the Khelo India Winter Games serve as a vital platform for aspiring skaters aiming for international recognition. “The Khelo India Winter Games unite everyone and significantly promote the sport. When we started, such opportunities were scarce, so I think current skaters are very fortunate,” Shruti stated.

The inaugural phase of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 is set to commence in Ladakh on January 23. The skating events will occur at the NDS Stadium and Gupuks Pond in Leh, with at least 150 ice speed skaters expected to compete.