Telangana’s rising star, 16-year-old Pranav Madav Surapaneni, has created history by becoming the first athlete from the state to qualify for the Junior World Cup in Short Track Ice Skating. The prestigious competition is scheduled to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, where Pranav will represent not only Telangana but also India on the global stage.
Pranav’s journey in ice skating began seven years ago at a summer camp held at Kotla Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Stadium in Hyderabad. Discovered by Telangana’s only certified ice skating coach, M.A. Qudeer, Pranav quickly showcased exceptional talent and determination. Over the years, he has won multiple medals at district, state, and national levels, marking himself as one of India’s fastest short track skaters.
His outstanding performances include winning three medals at the 2025 Khelo India Winter Games and securing a silver medal at the Asian Open Short Track Championship in Dehradun earlier this year. Notably, he achieved remarkable success competing in the senior category at just 15 years old, earning widespread admiration.
Currently training in South Korea with top coaches to enhance his skills, Pranav has set his sights on the Winter Olympics as his ultimate goal. Despite challenges such as limited infrastructure in India and high training costs abroad, his determination remains unwavering.
Pranav’s achievement signals Telangana’s growing prominence in winter sports and serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the state. With continued support and sponsorship, he aims to soar higher in the international skating arena.
