| When did you start?
I started my skating career in 2001, when I was just seven years old. I also started taking part in competition from year 2002 & my first X-Game was in July 2004 and by the grace of God I excelled in this sports and now I am the all Pakistan Champion (Under Fifteen).
What got into skating?
It was encouraged by the support of my parents which got me to start skating. Initially I was frightened of skating for fear of falling but with continuous practice I overcame my fear. The experience taught me to over come my fears rather than my over fear coming me. Although it is not easy but with hard work and God's grace nothing is impossible.
First event you participated in? How was it?
As I mentioned earlier my first competition was in 2002, It was a City level competition held in August 2002 at Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi. I got 3rd position in the under-8 Category. From then onwards, I started winning every competition that I entire.
How were you first noticed, tell us the story about how you got into your first tournament?
It was my parents and their encouragement to take part without putting pressure on me. They told me practice for myself and if it made me happy and so I got interest in skating.
What stunts can you perform, describe them?
I can perform many stunts but the one's that I like most are:
One an a half axle
In this way Jump high & turn one an a half round in mid air.
Spin
In Spin move around in the same place 20 to 25 rounds on just two wheels out of four like a fan.
Jump
Its include two events High & Long Jump, In high jump, jumps over chair or desk etc. similarly in long jumps, jumps over the cones approximately distance 5 to 6 feet.
Zig Zag Crossing
It's basically cross the cones in Zig Zag position like seizer front & back both direction.
Cart Wheel
This is a part of gymnastic which we do on skates.
Stretcher
This is my own stunt; I performed it and even named it.
What X game event is your favourite?
My favorites in X-Game are stopping on ramp, Excel on ramp, & stretching in Air because in both of last two events we have to jump and I like to jump and fly.
Which event is the most difficult and requires the most practice?
Hand-Spring on skates is the most difficult (it is also part gymnastic) it requires a lot of practice because we have to perform like a gym past but on wheels. We have flipped over and land perfectly. You have to be very good at it to score any points and it takes lots of practice.
Which achievement in an event are you most proud of?
The proudest event in my life was when I got the Gold Medal in X-Game at Lahore at the National Bank Park in July 2004. This event was introduced for the first time in Pakistan in year 2004.
Tell us about the pressure of performing in front of a crowd?
By the grace of Allah I have never felt any pressure while performing in front of a crowd. In fact the larger the crowd, the greater is my motivation to excel and to better; I like challenge and a chance to stretch myself to the limit.
What is the most tense situation you've performed in?
The tensest situation that I have ever performed it was in the final show down between me and the reigning champion who was 3 years older to me. His name is Syed Aarib and the interesting thing is that I beat him in the last championship at Lahore.
How does it feel to participate in the X games? Do you feel lucky?
I enjoy participating in the X-Games. I feel lucky to have such a loving & caring family who always supports and encourages me. It is a great feeling you have to experience it to know what it feels like.
Events you participated in
The events that I have participated in are:
1. Inline Speed Skating
2. X-Game
3. Free-Style
What is the hardest lesson you've learnt while performing?
Never to give up, And to understand that winning isn't everything. It has to be fun. You have to enjoy it or there is no point in winning.
What is the most difficult thing about competitive sports?
One of the biggest difficulties is the slippery condition created on the floor of the rink by falling of dew.
How long do you have to train, do you find it boring?
I train for a hours every weekends i.e. from Friday to Sunday. I go to a rink & practice for 3 hours. If you love skating it can never be boring. It can tire you but it is never boring.
What are the different skills you need to succeed in different events (in line skating, ramp events, speed skating)
In speed we need to have good seize ring techniques, In ramp we have to have good ability to jump high without falling, similarly in inline skating we need balance over bodies.
Have you had any bad experiences while performing?
No, none by the grace of God I have never had any bad experience.
Do you find it hard when you don't win a tournament?
I don't know about that, because so far I haven't lost in any tournaments. I have even won other titles in the above age category. And I thank God for it.
Do you miss school on the road?
No I don't because the competitions are usually held during summer or winter vacations and the skating events are usually in the evenings so I don't miss out on school.
What do you prefer sports or school?
I love both school & sports and keep a balance between them. I regularly receive the Best Attendance Awards in my school and for the past two years I have been receiving the 3rd position in my grade / class.
Would you continue studying because parents nag you?
I will definitely continue my study not because my parents nag me but because I like to study. My parents are concerned at times but they don't nag at me.
How do you balance studies with sport?
Balance in life is very important; I am practice on weekends (Friday, Saturday & Sunday) as well as on holidays and study on week days. So both my passion for skating and my schooling are finely balanced.
How does it feel to get holidays from school while others study?
I have never take holidays from school because of skating events I don't like to miss school, I would rather miss out on my skating but my studies are very important to me.
What's more gratifying, winning an event or topping a class?
While I am happy in winning in both events it a bit more gratifying to win an event because there are over 50 competitors more than 500 spectators and my story comes in Newspapers & Magazines and I am quite popular among my friends and teachers and feel very proud whenever my article or my picture is displayed on the special students board and my principal especially calls me at assembly and praises me. I feel 10 feet tall.
How hard is it to balance sport and a career?
I don't have any ideas about careers as yet, but skating is my hobby, my passion. As a person I would like to be successful and have a career. I don't think it will be difficult at all to balance the two.
Wild stunts you perform what are they where do you practice them?
I don't call them wild stunts. They are not wild or done wildly. All safety procedures have to be followed. I am very particular about that. I practice them at any rink where I am.
Is there a stunt you do that others older than you can't, is there a certain stunt that you're working on?
In skating, there is no such thing as an impossible stunt. Everybody who has patience and practices can eventually do the stunts. It just takes time and lots of patience. I try to do something different in the regular stunts. There is the stretcher which is my own stunt. I know a one leg spin which nobody does yet.
Injuries while practicing?
I have received minor injuries several times but due to safety precaution, never any serious injuries.
Do you get to keep prize money or do your parents keep it?
I have always received medals and trophies. Prize money is not awarded in the skating events.
What are the usual prizes awarded to the winner?
At City or Province level trophies are awarded, while at National level we get medals (Gold, Silver & Bronze)
Tell us about travel?
The skating is in Lahore and that is where I always go for my events. Apart from that I have traveled to other cities of Pakistan but not for any skate related events.
How hard is it to live on the road?
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Is it hard to keep in touch with friends when you're touring?
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Do you feel awkward? How do friends and family react?
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How does it feel to see your name in newspaper?
I am extremely proud to see my name in newspapers; a lot of the people recognize me. They come up to me, know my name and just start talking to me. I feel like a star when people I don't even know come up and praise me and say they have seen me. I feel special.
Do you have fans?
I have a small group of people but I don't get fan mail or anything. About a year ago when I was in Lahore for the event a man came upto my mother and showed her an old piece of paper on which he had taken my autograph. I felt so very proud at that time.
Have you met show offs or celebrities?
Yes. I just met Jawad Ahmed recently.
Are you bullied by older people taking part in events or are you treated like a celebrity on tour?
No. Nobody has bullies ever me nor am I am treated always as a celebrity. I am too young for that.
How do your parents help?
My parents are my biggest fans and my supporters. Even my grand parents are always praying for my success. They have always encouraged me.
How have your friends and class mates reacted to your success? Are they jealous
My friends have never reacted that way. They are always the first ones to congratulate me and are even more excited to see my pictures or read my name in the newspaper.
How have your siblings reacted to your success?
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How do you keep yourself grounded?
My parents see to that and have always taught me.
Do you have any insecurities?
None whatsoever. My parents are reasonably help off besides my religion teaches me to be contented, so I feel secure in every forum & manner.
Describe yourself in three words
Ambitious, hardworking & humble
Do you sometimes just want to be treated like a normal kid?
I am always treated as a normal kid.
Do you get fed up of always being on top of things?
I feel I am only at the beginning & have a long way to go for the summit. I in the present have no quarrels with being where I am to put it in your words 'on top of things'.
Do you feel that people are expecting too much from you?
Achievement is nothing but maintaining of that achievement is difficult. Most of senior players & coaches are expect from me that I always on winning Stand.
What are your goals?
Participate & get Gold Medal in Asian Championship as well as International Championship. Speed skating might be including in 2008 Olympic so I want to represent Pakistan.
What inspires you?
My parents are the biggest source of inspiration.
What is your ultimate ambition? (To be the best in skating or the best in a certain profession e.g. doctor, engineer)
An ultimate ambition i.e. to be best in sports lasts only as long as the young age carries you. Side by side I want to be a Doctor.
What is your motto in life?
I love word 'Impossible' because it's express by self 'I M possible'
What are your other hobbies and activities. Favourite book favourite movie. Idols/ heroes
Reading a books Atlas, Science Books etc.
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