Vishwaraj Jadeja, India’s oldest speed skater at the Asian Winter Games 2025 in Harbin, the People’s Republic of China, has maintained a realistic approach for the continental event.
He finished 18th, clocking 2:05.80, in the 19-man 1500m event and 14th, with a timing of 7:47.31, in the 15 men’s 5000m event.
The 65 national record holder will be a part of the men’s team sprint event along side Chandra Mouli Danda, Amitesh Mishra, and Srivasta Srikantha Rao and men’s team pursuit event where Daniel Salvadore Concessao will replace Srivasta.
It will be the first-ever participation for the Indian speed skaters in the team events at the 9th Asian Winter Games, making a return after eight years.
India will looking to set a National Record at these events only by finishing them.
However, in a conversation with Olympic First, the Ahmedabad-native described India’s lack of support towards their Asian Winter Games athletes from all-quarters.
1. How has your preparation been in the run-up to the Asian Games? Satisfied?
“As athletes, you always want to prepare better. No complaints from the resources given to us. I think we have been able to optimize our preparation and we’re standing tall.”
2. What’s your realistic goal heading into the event?
“How much have we invested in the (Winter) sport in the last four years? If we are expecting great results after last month’s preparations then it’s unrealistic. So, like I’ve maintained, if we come out of this event (Asian Games) with two National Records than that would be a great achievement.”
3. How did you fund for the Asian Winter Games 2025?
“Funding wise, I had to crowdfund a lot of things. There was some very nice benefactors but it was not obviously as much as you would want to train at the elite level as you want to.
“It’s always going to be challenging to prepare for a sport like this (Ice skating) since India doesn’t have an infrastructure.”
4. Are you still training in the Netherlands?
“I’m training a lot in the Netherlands but I also travel around a lot. So I’ll be trying to mix and match.”
5. Is Milano Cortina 2026 playing on your mind?
“Obviously, Milano Cortina 2026 is playing on our minds. I’ve a plan in an underfunded situation. I think we also have to be realistic as a nation.
“Are we sure we want to expect from our athletes when we are not supporting them. Be it the people, journalists, administrations or government.
We are not even providing a proper stable situation for Summer athletes than how we expect the Winter athletes to perform or do anything.
First, support them.”
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