In a proud moment for Goa, 12-year-old Divya Chaudhary, a Class VII student of Holy Spirit Institute, Margao, clinched a gold medal in the marathon race and a bronze medal in the 400m inline speed skating event at the International Speed Roller Skating Championship held in the Maldives from June 18 to 21.
Trained by coach Rajesh B. Naik of the Sports Authority of Goa, Fatorda, Divya's achievement is being celebrated as a remarkable story of perseverance and determination. Earlier this year, she was selected to represent India in a competition in Indonesia but was unable to participate due to flight cancellations caused by the ongoing war crisis. Undeterred by the setback, she continued her rigorous training schedule, practising daily from 4 pm to 7 pm at the SGPDA ground in Margao regardless of weather conditions.
In preparation for the Maldives championship, Divya attended a 15-day intensive training camp in Pune, where she skated 50 kilometres each morning and another 50 kilometres each evening under a disciplined regime.
Her father, Ramprakash Chaudhary, supported her sporting ambitions despite financial challenges, receiving assistance from relatives, friends, school staff and well-wishers. Her mother played a key role in ensuring proper nutrition and guidance throughout her journey.
Divya received a warm welcome on her return to Goa, with teachers, students and staff of Holy Spirit Institute gathering at Margao Railway Station to congratulate her. The reception was led by Manager Rev. Fr. Domingos Noronha and Headmistress Esmeralda Mendes e Fernandes, while banners celebrating her achievement adorned the station platform.
Speaking on the occasion, Headmistress Fernandes praised Divya's dedication, saying that her success demonstrated how discipline and hard work could overcome obstacles. She also highlighted the young athlete's ability to balance academics and sports.
Rev. Fr. Noronha appealed to the Ministry of Sports and the governments of Goa and India to provide greater support to talented athletes facing financial constraints. Coach Rajesh Naik expressed pride in his trainee's accomplishment and wished her success in future Asian and Olympic qualification events.
