At 29, Anup Kumar Yama feels on ‘top of the world’, having become the first Indian to win a gold in the World Roller-Skating Championship in Chinese Taipei on Saturday night. Although forced to train on cement flooring here, he returned with gold, performing on the high-quality wooden flooring in the championship.
Defying the huge crowd support for other competitors and having no Indian in the jury, he came up trumps. “I had just my coach, team doctor and a support staff member to cheer me. But, honestly, the sense of pride representing the country made me forget my rib injury (sustained during practice on the day of the competition) and give my best,” recalls Anup. “I dedicate this gold to my parents, especially dad Veeresh [also his coach]. It is a dream come true finish for me, and I wish to aim big in the days to come,” says the 2010 Asiad bronze medallist. Those regularly following his feats are not at all surprised considering his terrific record at the Asian level and within the dominant circuit - 76 gold medals at the national level in different categories!
He had also bagged a bronze medal in the last edition of the championship in New Zealand last year and three gold and two silver in the 15th Asian Championship in Hefei (China) in November last. “This World Championship gold is different. It is a dream to win at this level which is not easy given India’s record. I am elated and proud to be the first Indian to do so,” exults the MBA graduate who learnt the basics of skating in the GHMC corridors in Secunderabad.
Anup’s proud father Veeresh reminds that his son won the gold, edging out two former world champions Carlos Urquia of Argentina (silver) and Lee Chun of Chinese Taipei (bronze) to win the gold.