Thita Lamsam's passion for figure skating has been pivotal to her becoming one of Thailand's most promising figure skaters.
Rising national figure skater Thita Lamsam's passion for the sport started at the tender age of four. Photo: Nattakit Lorwitworrawat
The 17-year-old self-proclaimed introvert's achievements have included becoming the first Thai figure skater to qualify for the prestigious ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships from 2014-2016, and the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships last year.
A Year 12 student at NIST International School, the soft-spoken teen is also an avid scuba driver, surfs and enjoys cooking. It was figure skating that stole her heart however, especially after she watched the 2005 American film Ice Princess.
"The character of the figure skater made a huge impact on me," began Thita, who is currently competing at the Eighth Asian Winter Games in Sapporo where she finished in 17th place out of 24 skaters.
"The character portrayed the role of the figure skater to a 'T'. The passion that I saw in the character totally got me hooked. However, it was at age seven that I began to seriously take up the sport, but had in fact began to enjoy it back when I was around four, around the time I watched this movie. However, a decade a ago, there were few places where I could practice. Nevertheless, this didn't discourage me. I watched figure skating competitions on television and practised what I saw."
Thita has had to make her share of sacrifices to follow her passion, admitting having to give up quality time with her family and friends to train and compete.
She also sacrificed a lot of time from school to focus on figure skating.
"In Thai culture it is not the norm to be putting one's education on the back burner to pursue one's passion. It was hard to give up a lot of time from school, while still keeping up my grades.
"As I have had to spend all my break time training. I went through times of uncertainty of whether what I was doing was worth it. Having to spend major holidays such as New Year training in the US while my family were enjoying themselves at the beach made me question whether what I was pursuing was worth all what I had to give up. Apart from training, I also spend a large part of my time competing. It has been a roller coaster, but I have been having fun."
Thita's parents have also supported her through major decisions she has had to make. For instance when time came for her to choose from recreational competition to competitive events when she was 10, her father made it clear that it would entail new challenges and that she had to stand by her decision.
After competing in recreational events for a number of years, and faring exceptional well, she decided to switch to competitive competitions. In her debut event, she finished last.
This fortunately didn't dampen her spirits. The Thai talent was determined to make progress and not throw in the towel. And it is good thing she did not. At the 2016 FBMA Trophy in Abu Dhabi, she finished in third place and has had a good run of form the last three years, finishing in the top 20 in a handful of events.
Being an introvert, she says she often finds solace in her own company.
"I probably get through my hard times by practising on my own. I am an introvert, so when I feel something is bothering me, I ask my coach for a day off and then I head to the skating rink and practice by myself. This is really fun going to practice on my own, it gets my focus back. I find that I still like to skate and that I have the ability in me to improve."
When asked how an introvert like herself is able to muster enough confidence to perform in front of not just the cameras but also huge audiences, she remarked that when she is able to fit into a place she is comfortable, she naturally opens up.
"While I do feel nervous when I perform, I know this is where I am supposed to be, and that feeling is comforting. I kind of end up performing without knowing. I just enjoy it. I think to myself that I am performing to people I don't know.
"During my first couple of competitions, I used to cry before and after the competition, without any reason. To get over stage fright, my parents sent me to recreational events where I had to compete multiple of times during the day. The ability to compete in front of the audience frequently was the turning point in my being able to get over my fears."
For future figure skaters who are introverts like herself, Thita suggests they be themselves. It is no point being someone you are not, she said.
"Find music that fits your personality. It is no use performing to music that doesn't fit your style. The movements come naturally and you start performing, and there is a sense of well being. "
Thita says figure skating has helped her to become more confident. It has helped her to speak up more in class and realise that everyone is special in their own right.
The once shy, withdrawn teen's figure skating performances today imbue sparkle, flair and a confidence that apparently comes from challenging herself to reach her very best as a figure skater.
