For Tuhin Satarkar, climbing was ingrained in his genes. Born to parents, who are climbers themselves, it wasn't a very difficult choice for him to make as to what he wanted in life.
"Born to parents who are both climbers and still climb has its advantages. I'm really lucky to have them. My parents always took me with them whenever and wherever they went for climbing. I have seen them climb and it is this that encouraged me to take up the sport. It's just so addictive! They never pressurised me to take up climbing, and I had a free reign to do whatever sports I chose to do, but something about climbing always had that edge over other sports," Tuhin told Sportskeeda in an interview via mail.
The journey towards becoming a climber hasn't been a short one for Tuhin, who took a liking to it, as early as the age of 7 and felt that the support he received from his parents kept him in good stead.
"I have been competing in sports climbing competitions since I was 7 years old. My first competition ever in 2002! It was in 2008, I got my first chance to play at the National Level (I was over the moon literally ) and from then I haven't looked back. I am a professional climber and RedBull athlete and feel very proud about it. I'm all sponsored by an Indian climbing gear manufacturer Gipfel Climbing equipment. My parents were my support system from my childhood and will always be there for me no matter how much I grow up," he added.
Tuhin and several of his fellow climbers received a big boost last year when the organising committee for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, decided to recommend climbing as one of the additional sports.
"Tokyo 2020 is definitely a very good news. It's a boost that will definitely help in changing the climbing scene here in India. People are getting aware there is a sport as climbing and it's definitely worth a second look. People may not look at it as they look at other sports now, but things are changing for the better, as more and more are getting to know it," he said.
Talking about what climbing meant to him personally, Tuhin said that it was a way of living for him and not one of escape.
"Climbing is a way of life, it's not an escape, it's somewhere and something I rather be doing at all times. I like to explore the Unknown climbing places and search for new routes.It's how I live," he said.
With regards to the staging of the climbing World Cup next month in Navi Mumbai, he expressed optimism over the achievement of the goal.
"I am not aware of the funding scene and if the amount has been collected as yet, cause I am not directly involved in the same , but I am sure it can be done and the goal achieved," he said.
He also had a message for the supporters.
"Life is nothing without adventure, live it to the fullest, get out your comfort zone and you'll realise how beautiful it is. I live to climb. What do you do? " he concluded.
We request you to dig deep and amplify the voice of our climbers. Share our story, contribute to our campaign (www.ketto.org/giriviharforclimbingwc) and spread the word. Sending the team will be an achievement that will pave the way for more climbers to take up the sport and chase their dreams. So let’s make it happen!
To raise funds for similar causes visit Ketto.org, a crowdfunding platform for social, personal and creative causes.
