Kashmiri int’l Alpine skier dreams to be Olympian
Post by on Monday, October 11, 2021
Living in a small village of Hajibal of Tangmarg area in north Kashmir's Baramulla district, Arif Khan a 30-year-old passionate skier has represented India four times in World Championship in Alpine Skiing.
He has also played many state and national level championships.
However, after winning many medals and championships, the Kashmir born international skier dreams to win a medal in Olympic 2022 scheduled to be held in Beijing China.
Sharing his experience with Rising Kashmir, the 30-year-old Alpine skiing star said, “When I was 7 only, my father took me to Gulmarg and enrolled me in a skiing coaching course. Since then my father stood alongside me throughout this journey,” Khan said.
However, the skier's professional skiing career started at the age of 15 when he was studying in class 10th.
After the state-level championship, Khan became the centre of attraction for the selectors and got a call for the nationals where he exhibited outstanding performance in the junior category and went on to compete in senior nationals.
He participated in a state championship in his hometown in 2005. Seeing his performance, he was selected for the 14th junior Alpine Skiing championship Beudalik Ski resort China.
At the age of 30, he represented India in various countries like the USA, Japan, Turkey, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Lebanon, Austria, etc. "The coaches have full faith in me and they trust me that led me to win the medals," he said, and added, "I have 11 major international records."
He said during my early days I faced a lot of difficulties but I never gave up and till now I have participated 125 times in the world championship.
Khan is also the first India Alpine skater who has represented India four times in World Championship.
He said when he first participated in the national level Alpine championship he was studying in Army GoodWill School.
“My family was always supportive and they helped me in every difficult time", he said and added, "Without their help, it was impossible to reach this level".
