Representing India, sophomore Anavi Tekriwal will travel across the Atlantic to compete internationally

By Staff Writer Jena Fakroddin

Though many NNHS students boast membership to travel teams that require them to bustle around the midwest, there are few who can claim commitments that require them to compete internationally.

Anavi Tekriwal is a sophomore at NNHS that has been skating for six years, representing the United States Figure Skating Association. It wasn’t until this past year that she gained  new representation under India’s Figure Skating Association.

Tekriwal will travel to India during winter break to compete in a national competition against people from many international regions. Honors such as medals, titles, and prize money will be up for grabs.

This coming December marks the first time Tekriwal will meet team India’s coaches face to face. Because she has been skating for India less than a year, she does not know what competitions she will enter.

“Skating for India is still very new to me, but if the association continues to give me opportunities to compete, I am going to continue to take them up on their offer,” said Tekriwal.

Even though Tekriwal represents India, most international competitions she competes in are within the United States. Competing internationally so frequently is something the family is a commitment the family is unable to make. The competitions Tekriwal participates in are up to her and her family’s discretion.

She only commutes to India for competitions every two to three months.

“Competitions are pretty expensive. I have to pay for my coach’s food, housing, and transportation fees. It makes it easier to decide what competitions I am willing to attend given what my family could afford,” said Tekriwal.

Tekriwal competes at the junior level, which is the second to the highest of 12 levels.

“On a typical competition day, I get really nervous. I have to calm myself down by taking deep breaths and visualiz[ing] myself performing my routine on the ice in order to be mentally prepared,” said Tekriwal.

Tekriwal’s favorite skating experience was competing at her first state competition in Utah.

“It was so much fun, but also overwhelming because the rink we have skated on was the official figure skating rink used in the 2002 Olympics,” said Tekriwal.

Given the opportunity, she does not think she would want to train for the Olympics. She plans to pursue her greater priority, a college education.