Panchkula’s Aryan to play for India in World Games

What started as a leisure activity for Panchkula’s 25-year-old Aryan Pal Singh Ghuman, later turned into a profession with sheer hard work and dedication.

In a remarkable feat, Ghuman, a skater of the Rolling Tigers Academy, has cemented his place in the Indian skating squad for the upcoming 2025 World Games by winning the second position in the 20th Asian Roller Sports Championship, which recently concluded in Korea. On Sunday, he won the gold medal in the 1-lap event (road race) event of the same championship — making it two podium finishes.

Ghuman, who also represented India in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games and bagged the bronze medal (relay), clocked 41.59 seconds in the 500m M+D sprint event of the Asian Roller Sports Championships in China. He represented India at the 2023 World Championship in Italy and Asian Championship in Beidaihe (China).

“It’s a big achievement for the nation. I got defeated by another Indian skater Anad Velkumar (41.48s). It was a close call, but still I am happy with the silver medal,” said Ghuman, a 2015 President’s Awardee for Exceptional Achievement in Sports. “My next focus will be now on World Games, which are scheduled for next month in Chengdu. I am expecting a fierce competition and a medal for my nation,” he added.

Having a kitty of 22 medals in national championships, Ghuman credits his achievements to his coaches and parents. “There was no plan to come this far in skating. However, with the passage of time I started enjoying the sport. Had it not been for my coach or parents, I couldn’t have reached this far,” he added.

The ace skater also believes that the sport is yet to get a deserving recognition at the senior level.