Definition
Asha Gond (born 1998/1999) is an Indian skateboarder and social entrepreneur from Janwar, a village in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh, India. She gained international recognition for representing India at the 2018 World Skateboarding Championship and for co‑founding the non‑profit organization Barefoot Skateboarders.
Overview
Born to Dharmraj and Kamala Gond, Asha grew up in a tribal (Adivasi) farming family. In 2015 a skatepark was built in her village by German filmmaker Ulrike Reinhard, introducing her and other local children to skateboarding. Lacking formal training, the youths learned from online videos. Despite facing social resistance and threats from villagers who expected traditional gender roles, Asha pursued the sport.
In 2016, with support from Reinhard’s crowdfunding campaign, she received a scholarship to study English at The Butler Centre for Education in Wantage, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, becoming the first child from Janwar to travel abroad for education.
Asha continued to compete nationally and was the sole female Indian skateboarder at the 2018 World Skateboarding Championship in Nanjing, China. She later co‑founded Barefoot Skateboarders, a non‑profit that seeks to improve education and development opportunities for children in Janwar.
Her life story is believed to have inspired the 2021 Netflix film Skater Girl, although the film’s director has denied it is a biographical work.
Etymology / Origin
- Asha is a common Indian given name derived from Sanskrit, meaning “hope” or “desire.”
- Gond is the name of an indigenous tribal community predominantly found in central India; it is also used as a surname by members of this community.
Characteristics
- Sporting achievements: Competed internationally (2018 World Skateboarding Championship) and has been featured in national skateboarding events and media campaigns.
- Leadership: Serves as a director of Barefoot Skateboarders, focusing on youth education, community development, and gender inclusion in sport.
- Advocacy: Acts as a role model for rural Indian girls, promoting empowerment through skateboarding and challenging traditional gender norms.
- Public profile: Appeared in television advertisements, documentary interviews, and press coverage highlighting her journey from a remote village to the global skateboarding stage.
Related Topics
- Skateboarding in India
- Adivasi (indigenous peoples of India)
- Rural education initiatives
- Skater Girl (2021 Netflix film)
- Barefoot Skateboarders (non‑profit organization)