Among the young turks who are shining in polo from the stable of the Amateur Riders Club (ARC) is the sprightly Nikolai Kundanmal.
The 16-year-old from the American School of Bombay is growing by leaps and bounds in polo and putting all his learnings to good use after some impressive outings at the Sub-junior Nationals and Junior Nationals.
Having competed in the Junior and Sub-junior Indian National Polo Championship three times, the young lad has won the sub-juniors twice and finished runner-up once.
He was also runner-up in the National Junior Polo Championship.
Nikolai's rise has been enabled by the support system around his family and especially his father.
“My father is my biggest inspiration, both in and out of polo. He introduced me to the game and personally trained me from the ground up. My passion for polo stems from watching him play during my childhood, which sparked my interest and deepened my appreciation for the sport.”
Polo has been the biggest motivation for Nikolai to excel and he finds himself at peace while at it.
“For me, polo is a sanctuary. No matter how I’m feeling, the moment the game begins, my mind clears, and all emotions—whether positive or negative—fade away, leaving me fully immersed in the flow of the game.”
“My parents have supported me throughout. My father introduced me to the sport and has been instrumental in shaping my understanding of the game. Even at home, we analyze international high goal matches together, where he offers valuable insights and advice on what to emulate and what to avoid, continually helping me refine my skills," he added.
The youngster credits his mother also for her support.
"My mother has always been a pillar of support in my decision to pursue polo despite the inherent risks the sport presents. While she may not fully grasp the intricacies of the game, she recognizes how deeply it matters to me and consistently encourages me to work hard and excel in what I am passionate about.”
The teenager expressed immense gratitude to his teachers and the American School of Bombay for their support.
“Thanks to my school's flexibility and the unwavering support of my teachers, balancing academics and polo has been more manageable than one might expect. While I strive to stay on top of my schoolwork, the pull of being around the horses is simply irresistible.”
Nikolai wants to rectify the fact that he is yet to win the National junior crown and is working hard to get there.
"While I have yet to win the Junior Nationals, it only motivates me to work harder. Having mentors like Vikram Rathore, who have generously supported me by offering guidance and access to some of their finest ponies, has significantly eased my journey and provided me with an invaluable platform to showcase my abilities."
