For Bangalore-based Sharath Gayakwad (22), who was recently crowned National paralympics swimming champion for the ninth time since 2003, no challenge is insurmo-untable. Currently ranked world #9 after clocking his personal best in four events at the X Paralympic Games staged in London last September, Sharath didnt make the podium but derived consol-ation from being the only Indian swimmer to qualify for the finals, and having given swimmers from France, China, the United Kingdom, Australia and Ukraine a close run. Introduced in 1976, the Paralympic Games is an international multi-sports event modelled on the Olympics involving athletes with physical and mental disabilities, and shares the same venue.

Born with a deformed left arm, Sharath acknowledges the encouragement he received from Gayathri Devi, principal of Little Flower Public School, Bang-alore, as a formative influence. If it were not for her insistence that all students learn to swim, I would never have overcome aquaphobia, he remembers. Since then Sharath has won 44 national and 30 international medals.

Fully supported by his father Mahadevarao Gayakwad, a supervisor at Bharat Earth Movers Ltd, and his homemaker mother Bhagya, Sharath has trained rigorously for ten years under coach John Christopher at the garden citys P.M. Swimming Centre. In 2003, he clinched his first national Paralympic title at age 12. 2010 was a big year for me as I won a bronze in the 100m brea-ststroke event at the Asian Paralympic Games staged in Guangzhou, China; was ranked #10 at the World Championships in Netherlands, and #5 at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, he recalls.

Sharath believes his success would never have been possible without a supportive community. I owe my limited success entirely to my coach and my sponsors Speedo — the worlds leading swimming brand — HealthAdd Consultancy, and GoSports Foundation, who apart from providing financial help also manages my sports gear, training and registrations. I would also like to thank the Central government which has  sponsored all my travel since 2008, says Sharath, who recently graduated from the city’s Jain College.

But the medals and encomiums havent come easy. Sharath’s daily training regimen comprises 5-6 hours in the pool apart from fitness sessions in the gym and on the athletics track. I intend to practice harder and acquire competitive experience to win a medal for India in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, he says. Totally hooked on aquatics, Sharath wants to make a career in competitive swimming. Im waiting for the governments plan on hiring sportspeople with disabilities as coaches. This announcement was made a year ago, he says.

Speed to your fins!

Paromita Sengupta (Bangalore)