Team India speed skater and Steadfast Athlete Anoli Shah, who currently ranks among India’s top five skaters, has been skating since nine. Skating can be challenging physically and mentally. There is immense pressure to perform to the best of your abilities. Physically, one has to deal with injuries and physical exhaustion. It can be daunting if you’re skating 40-45 km an hour and somebody falls in front of you or you slip or trip. Anoli, however, has remained unfazed through it all, dealing with the pressure for 18 years and winning 166 golds, 123 silver medals, and 88 bronzes at various national, international, state and district championships.
She won a bronze for the country at the 14th Asian Roller Sports Championship in Taiwan in 2010 and represented India at the Beach Asian Games 2012, Asian Roller Sports Championship 2012 (Hefei, China) and the Flanders Grand Prix Open World Championship 2012 and 2013. Anoli won three golds and a silver at the Gujarat State Roller Skating Association 2019 and three bronze medals at the National Championship 2019. In 2021, she won a gold, two silvers and two bronze medals at the RSFI national championship, notching it up with four gold medals at the Gujarat State Roller Skating Association State Championship 2022 and three bronzes at the RSFI national championship the same year.
Anoli began her skating journey during her school days- she went to summer camps and discovered she was born to skate and couldn’t live without the sport. She won a gold medal in her first race at the national level at the age of 11, which motivated her immensely. Skating is not a very popular sport- you have to manage your academics and finances, a task. Anoli completed her B.Com and then did MBA in finance and marketing from Nirma University.
2014 was a challenging year and a turning point for the Steadfast Athlete- she slipped and injured her back and thought she would never be able to play again.
“I was in bed rest for 4-5 months and thought I would never be able to play again. However, I believed in myself. That was the turning point and motivation point in my life. After that, I restarted my journey and never looked back. What motivates me is that I know I have some goals I have not yet achieved. I will not rest till I achieve them,” says Anoli.
The wins make the challenges and struggles worth it. Anoli says the feeling of winning a bronze for the country cannot be explained in words.
“When I won a bronze medal for the country, the feeling was unexplainable. Seeing your country’s flag rise high makes all the sacrifices, bad days, late nights and early mornings, crying sessions, intense training sessions, falls, injuries, hard work and everything else worth it,” she says.
Anoli has been associated with Steadfast Nutrition for more than three years. She trains 4-5 hours a day. Steadfast takes care of her nutrition needs helping her skate better and reach her goal. Her favourite supplements are Snergy, which maintains her energy levels, and PlayStead, which helps her recover after a championship or training session.
“I love all the Steadfast products, how they handle their athletes and cater to their requirements. My favourite products are Snergy, which helps maintain my energy level when I skate, and Playstead, which helps me recover and keeps my hydration levels in check”.
In her spare time, Anoli loves playing music and travelling.
She is currently training to become the country’s best player and aims to perform well and earn a medal for the country at the international level.
Steadfast is proud to fuel Anoli in her sporting journey and wishes her the best for her upcoming championships.
