--- title: "My Skating Journey: National Champion Raghavendra Somayaji" description: "Discover the inspiring story of national skating champion Raghavendra. From international ice skating medals to local roller skating training in Bengaluru, see how we build champions." canonical: https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/my-journey-throwbacks last_updated: 2025-09-05 --- # My Skating Journey: From Local Rinks to International Medals Tribe Verified · 9th time national skating champion. By [Raghavendra Somayaji](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji) · Lessons at rinks in Rajarajeshwari Nagar · ₹2,200 per month (estimate) Part of [Roller & Ice Skating Lessons](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/gallery) From local rinks in Namma Bengaluru to international podiums, this is the road I traveled. It wasn't always easy, but it was worth every single glide. 🇮🇳 ## Photos and videos - ![Having some fun on the rink. Even a casual skate with a friend is a good time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7d97b18c-392b-4ead-a31f-721a873e025f) - ![Meeting skaters from around the world is one of the best parts of competing internationally. Here I am with a fellow athlete during a championship.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/86e29236-b868-4b34-aa16-ea8f817c5ced) - ![The international skating community is like a big family. Posing for a photo with the Korean women's team during an event.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8381b349-f81b-49c1-b473-2fe383e678be) - ![A throwback photo from my younger days. The passion for skating has been with me for a long time.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bfd76e92-b0e9-4b82-8102-a4c052fb72c3) - ![Taking a break during an outdoor training session with a friend.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a40b1952-d47e-484b-8542-c14ea87b8394) - ![Sharing advice and encouragement with the next generation of skaters. Mentoring young athletes is a huge part of what I do.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/07ec588c-11a5-4cdf-aa3b-a2f1d7bf60c2) - ![Relaxing on the sidelines at a skating event.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/9d193f8d-5d81-4010-9bc3-d2ebc1947300) - ![A duplicate view of my podium win at the 59th National Championship.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/92f1989b-5a8d-481c-a617-f8b19e41af66) - ![Another angle of the victory celebration at the 59th Nationals.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8dc7c793-bc41-4c03-81e6-4aa7d70ecf90) - ![A duplicate photo with my winning student.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7d44f280-9c8a-4f8d-9536-77f094c778c1) - ![Another shot with my student after his win at the 59th National Championship.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/961a8140-ff5e-4f75-bfd8-adf250720d7c) - ![A duplicate photo with a young skater from our team.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a6d4d977-7ded-4953-8c2a-5f7b40142320) - ![Another proud moment holding the Karnataka flag.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/51ab7ed6-5ca5-41cc-9153-e42152cf1d2b) - ![A duplicate photo of my students with the Karnataka flag.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b404c044-72c2-453a-bb2c-c5affcc56546) - ![Another photo with my medals after a race.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1bd4dda3-7dd0-4c26-a7ff-b7cb9e0c4a46) - ![A duplicate photo with a successful student.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/bfa40830-d814-4a19-89ad-241a35fac176) - ![A duplicate shot of my winning jersey and medals.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/82e5bdec-afe7-4e45-afe0-a5d4efba6dcb) - ![Another view of my daughter's first gold medal ceremony.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/56d4ce78-4342-431f-accd-9aa37c8a7424) - ![A duplicate photo celebrating my daughter's win.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f341b8d7-7437-466c-9372-4693fbc06b0a) - ![Another proud photo with my daughter and her medal.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/18b9cbc9-3595-413e-9f46-715aa02c38da) - ![A duplicate photo of our young team celebrating.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f45cec9e-eff6-4bf3-b348-598e7c0e13f1) - ![A duplicate photo with an international competitor.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1b8c97fd-7e52-4e30-ac48-ee7ce59e039f) - ![A duplicate photo of a fun moment on the rink.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d3ee1fc6-92ab-46bd-a811-17054c622027) - ![A duplicate throwback photo.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e5ed3f0f-b70d-449e-9e02-a247b3bd5b3b) - ![A duplicate photo from an outdoor training session.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/707e3dc5-7995-4024-8a3c-e56e55223d31) ## About My Journey & Throwbacks Getting to the podium didn't happen overnight. It meant years of training on outdoor concrete in RR Nagar, often fighting for every minute of rink time, and balancing family support with the grind of national circuit races. If you see me on the track now, know that it took thousands of hours of parachute drills and 'innondu round' (one more round) shout-outs to get here. Being an athlete in a cricket-crazy nation like India is no joke. I’ve faced politics, family pressure, and the constant struggle for recognition, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. My journey isn't just about the 9th national championship gold or standing on an international podium; it’s about the grit required to get there. Whether it’s training in the heat of Bengaluru or learning the complex glide mechanics for international ice events, the lesson remains the same: you have to train like a machine. I didn’t do this alone. My mentor K Srikantha Rao has been my pillar, like a father to me. And my wife Swathi, my half-shirt and backbone, keeps the academy running while I push on the tracks. We built Skaters World Skating Academy to pass on this same fire to our students, from the 3-year-olds finding their balance to the competitive skaters chasing their own medals. Skating is in our bones, and we’re here to make sure the next generation feels that pride too. Jai Hind! ## About Raghavendra Somayaji I’m Raghavendra, and skating is my life—it’s what I breathe. My wife Swathi and I built this academy not just to teach, but to build a family of skaters who fight for every gold. [See all of Raghavendra Somayaji's services](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji) ## More from Roller & Ice Skating Lessons by Raghavendra Somayaji - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/featured) - [National & State Champions](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/national-state-champions) - [Advanced Training for Competitions](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/advanced-training-for-competitions) - [International Ice Skating Experience](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/international-ice-skating-experience) - [Starting Young: Our Future Champions](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/starting-young-our-future-champions) - [More Than a Team, We're Family](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/roller-ice-skating-lessons/more-than-a-team-we-re-family) ## More services by Raghavendra Somayaji - [Competitive Speed Skating Training](https://mytribe.in/raghavendra_somayaji/competitive-speed-skating-training) ## Similar work from other experts - [My Journey: From Skater to National Coach](https://mytribe.in/esther-roller-skating/competitive-skating-coaching/my-journey-from-skater-to-coach) by Esther Roller Skating Club · Competitive Skating Coaching · Training at rinks in Koramangala & Sarjapur Road - [Our Competition Skaters: Podium Finishes in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/clap_sports_arena/roller-skating-coaching/our-champions-on-the-podium) by Clap Sports Arena · Roller Skating Coaching · Coaching at Mallasandra and Abbigere - [The Journey & The Wins](https://mytribe.in/invoker.in/hip-hop-dance-instruction/the-journey-the-wins) by Invoker · Hip-Hop Dance Instruction · Online, Studios in Delhi & travels across India - [Competitive Roller Skating Coaching in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/flying_skaters_club/skating-lessons-coaching/our-champions-on-the-podium) by Flying Skaters · Skating Lessons & Coaching · Classes at Play Arena & apartments in Bengaluru - [Competition Highlights: Powerlifting Records & Results in Bengaluru](https://mytribe.in/coach_vishwapowerlift/strength-physique-transformation/the-champion-s-mindset-competition-highlights) by Vishwanath Bhaskar · Strength & Physique Transformation · Online coaching & Studio training in Jayanagar - [India's Fastest Skater: Dhanush Babu’s Training Path](https://mytribe.in/indianathleticacademy_/athletics-para-athletics-coaching/india-s-fastest-skater-a-special-mention) by Indian Athletic Academy · Athletics & Para-Athletics Coaching · Training at Gym in Kumaraswamy Layout & Stadium in Jayanagar ## Book To book Raghavendra Somayaji, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Raghavendra%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20journey%20and%20throwbacks%20photos.%20I'm%20interested%20in%20your%20skating%20classes%2C%20can%20we%20chat%3F)