Shruti Kotwal to Spearhead India's Speed Skating Charge at Asian Winter Games
New Delhi: Shruti Kotwal, India's first professional woman speed skater, will lead the country's charge in the upcoming Asian Winter Games (AWG) in Harbin, China from February 7-14. The 33-year-old sprinter, who trained in the United States for the event, has her eyes on the prize as she prepares to defend India's national record in distance events.
The sports ministry has cleared a squad of 41 athletes, including speed skaters and their support staff, for the AWG, marking the largest-ever Indian contingent at the Games. Kotwal will be competing in the AWG for the second time, having previously represented India at the event in 2017.
"I'm thrilled to compete again," Kotwal said in an interview with SAI Media. "Countries like South Korea, Japan, and China consistently produce strong skaters who are technically and physically exceptional. It's a tough field, but I see every race as an opportunity to push my limits and improve my own performance."
Kotwal has been training at the Utah Olympic Oval in the US, where she has benefitted from world-class coaching, advanced training methodologies, and access to one of the fastest ice tracks in the world. "Training in the US has been a game-changer for me," Kotwal said. "The exposure to top-notch coaches, state-of-the-art facilities, and competing with the best skaters in the world has pushed me to refine my skills and understand the finer details of the sport."
Kotwal will be focusing on the 500m and 1000m events for Olympic qualification, where she is aiming to push her speed records further. "I'm focusing on qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics," Kotwal said. "The timing requirements are incredibly challenging - sub-40 seconds for the 500m and under 1:20 for the 1000m."
This will be India's largest-ever contingent at the AWG, surpassing its participation in the event in 2017 when only three athletes attended. Several Indian speed skaters are currently training in Korea for the upcoming Khelo India Winter Games 2025, which will begin on January 23.
The event will take place at the NDS Stadium and the Gupuks Pond in Leh, Ladakh. With over 150 ice speed skaters expected to participate, Kotwal expects a highly competitive field, but is confident that training in the US has prepared her for this challenge. "Khelo India Winter Games are an ideal platform for skaters aspiring to make a mark in international tournaments," she said. "It brings everyone together and really helps to promote the sport."