Leh (Ladakh), Jan. 23(UNI) On the ice, they skate alone. Off it, they share a journey defined by courage, sacrifice and belief. Aarush Tiwari and Hiya Adlakha (both novice figure skaters) belong to Gen Z of Indian figure skaters daring to dream big in a sport still struggling to find its feet in the country. Separated by geography but united by ambition, these two teenagers represent hope and aspiration into India’s growing ice sports ecosystem.
For 14-year-old Aarush Tiwari of Delhi, winner of bronze medal in novice boys’ category in Khelo India Winter Games 2026 underway in Leh, skating began before he could remember. At the age of two, Aarush first stepped onto roller skates, quickly finding rhythm and balance. Competitive success followed in roller skating, but a turning point came when he transitioned to ice- a leap that demanded relearning everything he knew.
The shift from wheels to blades was so transformative that Aarush documented it in a book he authored himself, titled Wheels to Ice, Born to Rise. The book traces his personal journey, detailing the technical challenges, mental adjustments and emotional highs and lows of adapting to figure skating- a rare introspection for someone his age.