Indian-American figure skater Tara Prasad (left) has fiercely responded to online trolls sending her death threats.
Despite facing cyber harassment, she remains committed to her Olympic dreams, earning praise for her resilience.
In a series of Instagram stories, the 25-year-old addressed the threats and discriminatory remarks she received, reported India Today.
“It’s easy to send hate, but I won’t give up,” she wrote, highlighting the broader issue of online abuse faced by athletes, particularly in niche sports like figure skating.
She emphasised her determination, urging critics to understand the challenges of the sport before speaking.
Tara’s journey has recently gained attention, especially after Indian business magnate Anand Mahindra praised her achievements.
She renounced her United States citizenship in 2019 to represent India on the global stage, a bold move that came with its own challenges. Despite setbacks, she has claimed three Indian national championships and continues to excel.
At the 2025 Asian Winter Games in China, Tara secured an eighth-place finish in the women’s figure skating event, scoring 49.17 in the short programme and 99.17 overall in free skating.
She previously won silver medals at the 2024 Reykjavik International and Skate Celje events.
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 2000 to Tamil Nadu immigrants, Tara was inspired by Olympic champions like Kim Yu-na and Aljona Savchenko. She splits her time between the US and Chennai and has held Indian citizenship since 2019.
Her mother, Kavita Ramaswamy, was a national hurdling champion in India, and Tara’s athletic background is reflected in her hobbies – hiking, rock climbing, art and choreography.
She has competed in major events, including the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in 2022 and 2023. In the 2025 edition in Seoul, she placed 16th, impressing judges with her technical scores.
Despite missing out on the 2022 Winter Olympics, Mahindra encouraged her to push for the 2026 Games, commending her perseverance.
