It’s not everyday that you can get the chance to compete at the highest level of sports, with your brother or sister by your side. But that’s exactly what’s going to happen when Jamshedpur siblings Aman and Anisha Verma compete at Asian Games in the Sports Climbing event from Tuesday onwards.
Having started climbing way back in 2016 under the watchful eyes of Bibhas Roy at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation, the teen duo, who are part of a 7-member squad, has so far won innumerable medals in national events.
Anisha, who is the elder of the two at 19 years of age, even won silver in the Asian Youth Championships in Speed Climbing that was held in Bengaluru in 2019. In the same tournament, Aman missed the podium by a whisker and finished fourth.
Despite their success, all their focus is now on doing well at their maiden Asian Games.
“It’s a great feeling that I have got a chance to compete at such a big stage. The motivation to do well is there. Also, it feels good that the Indians have been doing so well this time around. It shows that our country is growing in sports and this will only give rise to more opportunities for sportspersons,” said 18-year-old Aman, who will be competing in both Boulder & Lead and Speed events at the continental meet.
As for Anisha, she will take part in Speed, but both in the individual and the relay section, and is enjoying the prospect of competing along with his brother.
“It’s good to be here and the best part is that my brother will also be competing here. He not only gives me confidence but also motivates me to keep doing well,” said Anisha, who held the national record in speed climbing for three successive years.
But it’s not going to be easy for the duo and their coach Roy is quite aware of it.
“The Japanese athletes are among the best in boulder climbing. South Koreans will also give a good fight. As for China, they are great in speed climbing, and climbers from Indonesia will be very strong contenders,” said Roy, who was a climber himself and competed in nationals till 2008 before he worked in Kolkata Police in disaster management from 2010-13.
The coach, however, is pleased with the preparation the climbers have had before the Games and that’s giving him a lot of confidence.
“We had a two-month long camp during which we trained in Hong Kong and Thailand. From September 22-24, the athletes also took part in the Lead and Speed Climbing World Cup in Wujiang, China,” added Roy, who originally hails from Bhadreshwar near Kolkata but has been coaching at Tata Steel Adventure Foundation in Jamshedpur since 2016.
Irrespective of the preparation, competing at your first continental meet is not a matter of joke. “For all of us, it’s the first time, so we are not only excited but also there is a little fear. Whatever happens, we want to give our best,” said the coach.
That’s all that one can hope for from these youngsters, who not only have had to make a lot of sacrifices but also put in a lot of hard work day in and day out to follow their dreams.
