Aastha Naykar wins two bronze medals at national roller skating meet

Aastha Naykar left Ranchi with two bronze medals after finishing third in both the 5,000-meter and 1,000-meter track events in the inline skating category at the 12th Open National Roller Skating Championship. For a skater from Kalyan still studying in Class 11 Science at Royal College in Dombivli, the twin podium finish stood out because it came in two very different races, one built on endurance and the other on speed.

The championship ran from June 17 to 21 in Ranchi, Jharkhand, with Khelgaon hosting the meet under the Roller Skating Federation of India’s rules. More than 1,000 skaters from 21 states were expected in the field, which makes Naykar’s two bronzes a result earned in a crowded national lineup rather than at a small regional event. The federation’s national championship structure spans cadet through masters age groups across multiple roller-sport disciplines, giving the meet a scale that stretches well beyond one category or one age bracket.

Naykar’s performance reads as consolidation more than surprise. She has already represented Maharashtra at one international championship and eight national skating championships, and the Ranchi result adds another strong marker to a growing résumé. Two bronze medals in the same championship suggest that she is no longer just gaining experience on the national stage; she is repeatedly staying close to the front in events that demand different racing skills.

The 5,000-meter bronze showed she could hold position over a longer, more tactical distance, while the 1,000-meter medal pointed to the sharp acceleration and race awareness needed in shorter track contests. That combination matters in speed skating because it is one thing to flash in a single race and another to remain competitive across multiple distances over the same meet.

For Maharashtra skating, the result strengthens the state’s depth in the sport. Naykar is still early in her academic life at Royal College, but her national record now includes repeated appearances, an international cap and two medals from one of the country’s largest open ranking championships. The next step is clear: turn consistent podiums into a title challenge, and make the leap from a reliable medal contender to a skater who can win the big races outright.