Kadar returns for junior world championships
AUSTRALIAN synchronised skater Samantha Kadar recently returned from two international tournaments, with her Majestic Ice team picking up a bronze in Zagreb, Croatia and featuring at the inaugural ISU World Junior Synchronised Skating Championships in Helsinki, Finland.
AUSTRALIAN synchronised skater Samantha Kadar recently returned from two international tournaments, with her Majestic Ice team picking up a bronze in Zagreb, Croatia and featuring at the inaugural ISU World Junior Synchronised Skating Championships in Helsinki, Finland.
Kadar suffered a serious foot injury last year and required surgery, which kept her off the ice for more than five months.
After a rigorous training regime, the 18-year-old just missed out on representing the team at the state and national championships, which saw it qualify for the international events.
“Watching my team on the ice made me sad, all I wanted to do was skate,” Kadar said.
“[And] I remember thinking to myself it’s not going to be easy, but I will have to work very hard if I want a place back on the team.”
Kadar earned her spot in the side and took to the ice for the first time since her injury at a warm-up event for the junior world championships in Zagreb.
“My foot was definitely not 100 per cent better, but I knew I had to push through the pain,” said Kadar.
“I was very nervous as this was my first competition back on ice after my operation, but our team skated well overall and ended up winning the bronze medal out of eight teams.
“This was a great achievement for our team and it showed us all that our hard work paid off.”
In their time in Croatia, Kadar and the team also spent time with the Australian Ambassador, as well as showing their support for the Croatian AFL team, which features three Australian players.
The Majestic Ice squad then travelled to Helsinki for the grand event, but it struggled against powerhouse nations such as Finland, the United States, Canada and Sweden.
Australia eventually finished in 17th place, but Kadar said the team’s performance to the music from The Lion King was one she will remember for a long time to come.
“Unfortunately, the nerves got the better of our team and we had a few falls, but there isn’t much you can do when someone falls,” Kadar said.
“The Lion King [performance] was my favourite, because I felt it was very well choreographed and gave all the girls, including myself, a challenge with the steps and speed.
“So it was still a great experience for our team.”
AJN Staff
comments