Written By: Tania Tarafdar | Updated : October 30, 2017 5:16 PM IST
Niranjan Mukundan has been defying odds since a very young age. Born with a medical condition called spina bifida and with clubbed feet, he has undergone as many as sixteen surgeries. Doctors told him he would never walk and would likely be on a wheelchair for the rest of his life. But he did not stop there. Doctors advised him to take up swimming to strengthen his leg muscles and he discovered a love for swimming. Para-swimmer Niranjan Mukundan from Team Speedo now stands with a total of 27 international medals and over 100 state and national medals to his tally. At the recently concluded IWAS, U-23 World Games in Czech Republic Niranjan defied the odds and won 8 medals. Niranjan is proof that with grit and determination nothing can stop you from accomplishing your goals. We asked Niranjan s mantra of getting through a difficult time. Here s what he had to say.
Does your disability define you?
I have never seen my disability as a disadvantage in life. I also always believed that all differently able had some unique ability.
When did you discover your love for swimming and how challenging was the journey to competing at the world stage?
Initially, when I took up swimming it was as a part of aqua therapy to strengthen my legs. But once I fell into the water I felt like a fish and that s when I discovered that I am a fish in the water. Representing India at the highest level of competitions is every athlete's dream. It takes years of practice and hardship to get there. My next goal is to qualify for the 2020 Paralympics. Here's how to overcome fear of water and learn swimming.
What did it feel like to compete in the World Games?
It was fabulous to represent India at the World Games and the World Series. At the last Junior World Games, I was crowned as the Junior World Champion by winning 10 medals out of the 10 events taken part becoming the first Indian para-swimmer to be crowned as the Junior World Champion at the event.
How did you train yourself for the World Games?
It was a difficult task for me personally, I was down with an injury before the event and had very less time to recover but I and my coach made sure that I was back on track in real quick time and started our training. My morning practice session would start at 5 am and go on till 8:30 am. I would have a high protein breakfast including 12 to 14 egg whites. In the afternoon, I would have limited bowl of millets/jasmine rice with dal and 3 bowls of vegetable salad with olive oil. I would hit the gym at 3 pm in the evening and do some strength training for two hours. I made sure that I drank a lot of water and coconut water to keep myself hydrated. I would hit back the pool at 5 p.m and continue my practice sessions till 8:30 p.m. Here's Olympian swimmer Rehan Poncha's diet and fitness tips for swimmers.
You have personally battled with your own demons regarding body image what 5 things would you advise to others who are going through the same thoughts and issues?
I would say just these five things.
Image source: Team Speedo
