Indian speed skater Shruti Kotwal is gearing up for the upcoming Asian Winter Games (AWG) in Harbin, China, set to take place from February 7 to 14. The event will serve as a crucial platform for Kotwal to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics, which will be held in Italy.
Currently training in the United States, Kotwal will lead a 41-member athlete contingent representing India at the AWG. Speaking about her preparations and the upcoming competition, Kotwal emphasized the significance of the event as a major opportunity to test herself against some of the best skaters globally.
“I’m focusing on the 500m and 1000m events for Olympic qualification. The timing requirements are incredibly challenging – sub-40 seconds for the 500m and under 1:20 for the 1000m. My Indian national record is 41.97 seconds, and I need to skate under 40 seconds to qualify,” Kotwal shared with SAI Media.
This will be Kotwal’s second appearance at the AWG after participating in the 2017 edition, which was held in Japan. Reflecting on her previous experiences, Kotwal acknowledged the stiff competition posed by countries like South Korea, Japan, and China, known for producing technically and physically exceptional skaters.
“Countries like South Korea, Japan, and China consistently produce strong skaters who are technically and physically exceptional. I’ve faced some of these competitors in previous events and understand their strengths. It’s a tough field,” said the 33-year-old from Pune.
Indian speed skaters have been training in Korea in preparation for the AWG, with athletes from at least 24 nations expected to compete in the event.
Kotwal also highlighted the importance of the Khelo India Winter Games as a key platform for aspiring skaters to make their mark internationally. “Khelo India Winter Games brings everybody together. It really helps to promote the sport. We didn’t have that when we started and I think the skaters now are very lucky,” she said.
The first leg of the Khelo India Winter Games 2025 is scheduled to begin in Ladakh on January 23. The skating events will be held at the NDS Stadium and the Gupuks Pond in Leh, where at least 150 ice speed skaters will showcase their skills.
As Kotwal prepares for the Asian Winter Games and her pursuit of Olympic qualification, the country watches with anticipation, hoping for another remarkable achievement on the global stage.
