Navhyam Nihan Borah: The Young Skating Talent from Assam Making His Mark on the National and International Stage

Navhyam Nihan Borah, the 11-year-old skating talent from Assam, has emerged as one of the promising young athletes in Indian skating through his remarkable journey of determination, perseverance, disciplined training and competitive achievement. At an age when most children are only beginning to explore their interests, Navhyam has already experienced the challenges and rewards of competitive sport, progressing from a young beginner in Mumbai to representing India at international championships and winning medals on the global stage. His journey is particularly inspiring because it has not been a straight path to success; it has included an early introduction to skating, interruptions caused by the COVID-19 lockdown, a serious leg injury, a period of recovery, a determined comeback and, ultimately, a series of impressive performances at national and international competitions. Born in Mumbai and raised there until the age of six, Navhyam was introduced to skating at a very young age. His father noticed a signboard advertising skating classes for children near his school in Andheri, which eventually led Navhyam to his first coach, Mr. Azahrali, at Tenacity Skates. What began with basic skating lessons and balance exercises gradually developed into a genuine passion for the sport. Even during the COVID-19 lockdown, when regular training and competitions were disrupted, Navhyam continued practising indoors as much as possible, demonstrating an early willingness to remain connected with the sport despite difficult circumstances. After his family relocated to Assam, however, his journey encountered a major setback in 2022. At only six years old, Navhyam suffered a serious accident at home that resulted in fractures to all five metatarsals of his left foot. The injury forced him to step away from regular skating for a considerable period and presented a difficult challenge for a young child who had already developed a strong love for the sport. Recovery required patience, gradual physical activity and considerable support from those around him. His parents, grandparents, relatives, teachers and friends encouraged him throughout the recovery process, helping him rebuild his physical strength and confidence through cycling, light exercises and controlled movement. Rather than allowing the setback to end his skating journey, Navhyam gradually prepared himself to return to the sport. His comeback in 2024 marked an important turning point. He joined South Point Roller Skating Academy in Guwahati under Coach Mr. Uday Basfor, where he received structured training and began developing his abilities more seriously. At the academy, he also discovered Roll Ball, a sport that combines skating with ball handling, speed, agility, endurance, strategy and teamwork. Initially, the demands of Roll Ball were challenging, as the sport required him to develop not only skating ability but also

coordination, tactical awareness and the ability to work effectively with teammates. With regular practice and determination, however, he steadily improved and developed into a strong player, at times taking on leadership responsibilities during competitions. His involvement in both speed skating and Roll Ball provided him with valuable experience in individual and team-based competition, helping him develop physical fitness, confidence, discipline and competitive awareness. His progress became increasingly visible through domestic competitions, and in 2025 he was selected for the Assam Boys Under-11 National Roll Ball Team while also qualifying in speed skating. These selections represented an important achievement for a young athlete who had only recently returned to serious training after his injury. The national competitions that followed in early 2026 became a major stage in his development. Navhyam participated in the 25th National Speed Skating Championship in Chennai, where he competed in the Under-11 boys category and secured two silver medals. The championship provided him with an opportunity to compete against talented young skaters from across India and demonstrated that his progress after returning to the sport was producing tangible results. His performance at the national championship was also significant because the event served as an important platform for young skaters seeking opportunities at higher levels of competition and international selection. In addition to his individual speed skating achievement, Navhyam represented Assam in the 15th Mini National Roll Ball Championship held in Trichy in February 2026. Unlike speed skating, where the athlete competes individually against the clock and other skaters, Roll Ball is a team sport requiring cooperation, tactical understanding and collective effort. Navhyam contributed to the Assam Under-11 boys team, which emerged as national champions while remaining undefeated. The achievement highlighted another side of his sporting ability and demonstrated his capacity to contribute effectively to a team environment. Thus, within a short period, Navhyam had established himself not only as an individual speed skater but also as a successful young team-sport athlete. His performances at the national level soon opened the door to international competition. In May 2026, Navhyam represented India at the International Speed Skating Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia, competing alongside young skaters from different countries, including

Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia. The international championship was a major milestone in his career, as competing for India at an overseas event placed him on a much larger sporting platform. Navhyam responded to the opportunity with an impressive performance, winning a silver medal in the 400-metre Speed Race in the Basic Inline Boys Under-11 category. The medal became an important achievement in his international career and demonstrated that he could compete successfully against young skaters from outside India. His performance in Jakarta, however, was not limited to his silver-medal race. He also competed in the 300-metre race, reached the final and narrowly missed a medal by only a small margin. In the 500-metre event, he progressed through the heats and reached the semi-final before missing qualification for the final by a narrow margin. He also participated in the 1,800-metre team relay alongside two other Indian skaters from different states, with the Indian team finishing fifth. These results are important because they show that Navhyam was competing across multiple events and gaining valuable experience against international opponents. A young athlete does not measure development only through medals; reaching finals, progressing through heats and learning to compete under international conditions are all important stages of sporting growth. The Jakarta championship therefore gave Navhyam both a medal and valuable exposure that would contribute to his continuing development. His international journey continued only a few weeks later with an even more successful performance in the Maldives. Due to his domestic and international performances earlier in the year, Navhyam was selected as one of the Indian skaters and was the only skater from Assam to represent India at the South Asia International Speed Skating Championship 2026 in Male, Republic of Maldives, held in June. The championship brought together young skating talents from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates, providing another competitive international platform for athletes in his age group. Navhyam competed in the Standard Inline Boys 9–11 years category and delivered an outstanding performance, winning three gold medals. He secured gold in the 100-metre road event, the 200-metre rink event and the 300-metre rink event, producing a remarkable triple-gold performance for India. The achievement was particularly significant for Assam because Navhyam was the only skater from the state selected to represent India at the championship. His three gold medals therefore represented not only an individual accomplishment but also a proud moment for the state and his sporting community. The Maldives competition demonstrated that his Jakarta silver medal was not an isolated achievement. Within a short period, he had progressed from an international silver-medal performance to winning three gold medals at a South Asian international championship. His performances across these events reflect his ability to adapt to different competitive conditions and maintain concentration across multiple races. His sporting record has continued to grow through participation in national and international competitions. According to the achievement profile provided by his family, Navhyam has accumulated a total of 26 accolades, including national and international achievements, with a substantial collection of medals in speed skating. His medal record reflects sustained participation and progress rather than success in a single competition. Behind these achievements is a consistent training routine and the guidance of experienced coaches. Navhyam has regularly practised both speed skating and Roll Ball at South Point Roller Skating Academy, and following his recent achievements, he has progressed towards advanced professional speed skating under the guidance of trained and authorized coaches associated with the state federation in Assam, RSAA. This progression marks an important stage in his development because professional skating requires greater attention to technique, fitness, speed control, race strategy, endurance and competition preparation. At the same time, Navhyam continues his education as a student of Sanskriti The Gurukul in Guwahati, Assam. Maintaining a balance between education and competitive sport is an important part of the life of a young athlete. His sporting commitments require regular training and participation in competitions, while his academic journey remains an equally important part of his overall development. Navhyam’s story also highlights the importance of family support in the development of young sporting talent. His return to skating after a serious injury was possible not only because of his own determination but also because of the encouragement and support provided by his family, teachers, friends and coaches. For a child, overcoming an injury can be emotionally difficult, and having a supportive environment can make a significant difference. Navhyam’s journey demonstrates how encouragement, patience and structured training can help a young athlete regain confidence and return to competition. His experience also reinforces an important lesson about sporting success: talent is only one part of the equation. Discipline, consistency, physical preparation, coaching, mental resilience and the ability to learn from both victories and defeats are equally important. Navhyam has already experienced moments when he narrowly missed medals or finals, particularly during the Jakarta championship, but those experiences did not prevent him from continuing to compete and improve. His attitude is reflected in his belief, “I am learning, and I will never give up.” This simple statement captures the mindset that has accompanied his journey from recovery to national success and international recognition. His achievements have also brought attention to the potential of skating talent emerging from Assam. Representing a state at national competitions and then becoming the only skater from Assam selected to represent India at an international South Asian championship is a significant accomplishment for a young athlete. His success can encourage other children in Assam to take up skating and view it not merely as a recreational activity but as a competitive sporting discipline with opportunities at higher levels. Navhyam’s journey demonstrates how sporting talent can develop when a young athlete receives access to coaching, family encouragement and competitive opportunities. His success in both speed skating and Roll Ball also reflects versatility. While speed skating demands individual concentration, acceleration, balance and precise race execution, Roll Ball requires teamwork, coordination, strategic thinking and communication. Experience in both disciplines has contributed to his overall development as an athlete. The road ahead for Navhyam will undoubtedly bring new challenges. At 11 years of age, he remains at the beginning of his sporting career, and the transition to higher age categories will introduce stronger competition and new physical and technical demands. The medals he has already won are milestones, but continued development will require him to remain focused on learning rather than simply pursuing results. His experiences in Jakarta and Maldives have given him valuable international exposure, while his national competitions have provided him with a strong competitive foundation. If he continues to train consistently, maintain discipline and learn from every competition, these experiences can become the foundation for a promising long-term sporting journey. Navhyam Nihan Borah’s story is ultimately more than a list of medals. It is the story of a child who discovered skating at a very young age, faced an unexpected injury, spent time away from the sport, returned with renewed determination and then progressed rapidly through national and international competitions. His two silver medals at the 25th National Speed Skating Championship, his contribution to Assam’s national Roll Ball championship victory, his international silver medal in the 400-metre race in Jakarta and his three gold medals in the Maldives represent important milestones in a journey that continues to develop. His achievements show what can happen when youthful talent is combined with perseverance, disciplined practice, professional guidance and strong support. From his first skating lessons in Mumbai to standing on international podiums representing India, Navhyam has already travelled a remarkable distance. Yet the most significant aspect of his story may be that he continues to look ahead rather than simply looking back at what he has achieved. His journey reminds young athletes that setbacks do not have to define their future and that progress often comes through the willingness to begin again. For Navhyam, every race is another opportunity to learn, every competition another chance to improve and every challenge another step in his development. With his achievements at the national and international levels, his continued training under qualified coaches in Assam and his commitment to balancing sport with education, Navhyam Nihan Borah stands as a young representative of Assam’s growing sporting potential. His story is still being written, and at only 11 years old, there are many more tracks, races, competitions and opportunities ahead. The medals he has already earned provide evidence of his ability, but his resilience after injury and his determination to keep learning provide the stronger foundation for what may come next. His journey from a young beginner to an international medal winner is a reminder that sporting excellence is not created overnight; it is built through thousands of moments of practice, patience, recovery, discipline and courage. For Navhyam, the wheels are still turning, and his journey forward has only just begun.