Visakhapatnam:
A 17-year-old local girl has been chosen to represent India at an international figure skating event to be held in Spain later this month.
Sadasivuni Krishna Shradha, who took up skating when she was just five, will take part in the World Roller Skating Championship.
Shradha, daughter of a senior police officer, has won many medals at the State and national events and she will be representing India for a second time at the world stage.
Addressing the media in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, Chairperson of District Roller Skating Association T Saraswathi Devi and Secretary Shyambabu said it was a matter of pride for the city that Shradha is representing the county at a global meet.
Parents can play a key role in promoting this sport, they said and urged them to encourage their children to take up skating.
"Shradha is a talented and girl and won several medals at the State and national levels," said her coach Pavan Kumar.
The teenager has bagged two gold, five silver and six bronze medals in the national championships in figure skating and solo dance events, he said.
She made her presence felt in the ice skating event too, picking up a bronze medal in the National Championships held in 2009 in Shimla. At the state-level, she has won a few medals and individual championships.
She made her international debut in 2012 representing India in the figure skating event in the World Championships held in Auckland, New Zealand.
Talking to reporters, the Standard XII student said she was hopeful of winning a medal at the World Championships and would like to eventually become a doctor.
"I want to become a doctor so as to serve the needy. I am confident of performing well at the world championships and secure a medal for India."
"We need world-class skating rings in India to popularise this sport. We should also get coaches from abroad to improve out skating standards."
Her father Varada Raju expressed hope that his daughter would bring laurels to the country.