BANGALORE: Scrambling your way up steep rockfaces, man-made or natural, isn’t exactly a way of relaxation for a lot of people. But for some, it could be a passion which drives their very existence. One such person is Shivalinga M, a 20-year-old who has already achieved a lot in the field of sport climbing. He has been doing this since he was 14, and has already won six national competitions, with three gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals. The HRB Group had sponsored him when he took part in the speed-climbing event in the 2005 Youth Games in Hong Kong. Last year he was sponsored by the IMF (Indian Monetary Federation) when he won silver at the Trex Games in South Korea. He is now gearing up for the ESPN X-Games Sport Climbing in Shanghai, but is still on the lookout for a sponsor for the competition this time.
Rock-climbing as a sport has become increasingly popular across the world, and it is believed that it would be included in the Olympics by 2016. But that hasn’t helped Shiva with sponsorships, given his talent. He is in his final year of BBM at Seshadripuram College, and is quite comfortable with balancing both sides of his life. He starts his day with a jogging session and free-hand exercises. He has to maintain a diet which is high on carbohydrates and proteins, given his passion for the sport which banks on his having enough power to clamber up the steep walls. His days are spent at college, before he returns to the sport by evening.
One can catch him every evening at Kanteerava Stadium’s climbing wall with his friends, who are all into the sport. Before he slips into his climbing gear, he goes for a brisk 15-minute jogging session and does jumping and stretching exercises which are part of a 20-minute warm-up session.
A lot goes into the sport, which is not only physically demanding, but also requires intense concentration and determination on the part of the climber. In 2005, Shiva had a fall from over 30 feet, but just came back stronger. And now as he hangs from a rope about 50 feet off the ground and flashes you a big smile and a victory sign, one only hopes that his passion for the sport remains untouched and gets the necessary encouragement from sponsors and organisers.
Want to learn how to do it?
National Adventure Sports Academy , No 123, SFS 407, 2nd Phase, Yelahanka New Town.
Write to joinus@adventureacademy.org or call 98451 74037, 98800 39340, 98809 07922 Bangalore Mountaineering Club , No.1310, Gokulam, 6th Crs, 10th Mn, Hal 3rd Stg Ext, Indiranagar.
Contact: Sheetal Malve/Suresh Malve at 080-66366351 or e-mail to neerajmalve@gmail.com