Brave the cold and witness greatness unfold as Skye Chua takes control of her destiny with each leap and glide inside the rink
This is an excerpt from MEGA Active March 2024 story.
As the sultry notes of Nikki Yanofsky’s “I Got Rhythm” filled the frosty air, the ice beneath morphed into a stage of choreographed magic. A figure skater, donning a rainbow-colored costume embellished with orange feathers and rhinestones, pirouetted and leaped with grace that seemed to defy gravity.
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The rink transformed into an open sky, and the skater, an albatross, soared through the air, each movement tracing arcs of elegance against a frozen backdrop.
As the spotlight reveals the skater’s identity, we meet Skye Chua, whose journey began not with grand arenas but on the slide of a playground in a mall. “It was magical,” she reminisces, her eyes gleaming with nostalgia. “We would go eat at this fast-food restaurant beside the skating rink, and I would watch random skaters do their thing. When my mom finally allowed me to try it at seven, I fell in love instantly.”
For Skye, figure skating isn’t just about glittering costumes and dazzling performances—it’s a passion that fuses fun, power, and a constant quest for improvement.
“There was so much to learn, and having friends who shared the love for skating around me motivated me to continue,” the 20-year-old figure skater shares, her infectious enthusiasm evident.
In 2013, Skye leaped onto the competitive stage, entering her first national competition, the Artistic 4 Summerskate 2013. It was a pivotal moment that transitioned her from the realm of developmental and recreational skating to the fiercely competitive arena.
Skating to wellness
But beyond the sequins and twirls, figure skating is a demanding sport that goes unnoticed for its remarkable health benefits. “During the pandemic, I felt the impact of skating even more,” Skye reveals to MEGA. “Training is like running a marathon, keeping us toned and lean. It’s not just about the outer appearance; it also helps with inner core balance.”
To maintain her peak performance, Skye’s fitness routine extends beyond the rink. “Training on the ice is crucial, but off-ice training is equally important,” she emphasizes. From weightlifting and strength training to pilates, morning jogs, and the occasional swim, Skye’s regimen is as varied as her routines on the ice.
Read more about Skye Chua’s story as she continues to glide and leap her way to becoming an ice skating prodigy in MEGA’s March 2024 issue, now available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio
Photographed by EXCEL PANLAQUE of KLIQ.INC Art Direction BRIE VENTURA. Makeup ANGELIQA B. Hair DEXTER LOPEZ. Shot on location SM MALL OF ASIA SM SKATING.
