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Lost hands, not dreams: India’s para-swimmer heading to Rio Olympics

Para-swimmer Suyash Jadhav, 22, will represent India in the men’s 50m butterfly, men’s 50m freestyle and men’s 200m individual medley at the Rio Paralympic Games. Jadhav lost his hands in a freak accident at the age of 11, but that clearly didn’t stop him from focusing on what he could do best. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on: Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM IST

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Para-swimmer Suyash Jadhav, 22, will represent India in the men’s 50m butterfly, men’s 50m freestyle and men’s 200m individual medley at the Rio Paralympic Games. Jadhav lost his hands in a freak accident at the age of 11, but that clearly didn’t stop him from focusing on what he could do best. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Para-swimmer Suyash Jadhav, 22, will represent India in the men’s 50m butterfly, men’s 50m freestyle and men’s 200m individual medley at the Rio Paralympic Games. Jadhav lost his hands in a freak accident at the age of 11, but that clearly didn’t stop him from focusing on what he could do best. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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Jadhav is currently in Bangalore training and shopping (seen in pic) for the event. Far from his hometown Solapur, training is the only thing on his mind, he says. “I started swimming at a young age. Both my hands had to be amputated after the accident. My father was a national swimmer and wanted me to be a swimmer too. I started swimming in 2007,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Jadhav is currently in Bangalore training and shopping (seen in pic) for the event. Far from his hometown Solapur, training is the only thing on his mind, he says. “I started swimming at a young age. Both my hands had to be amputated after the accident. My father was a national swimmer and wanted me to be a swimmer too. I started swimming in 2007,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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Jadhav with his mother Savita Narayan at their rented home in Bangalore. ”A mother always understands her child’s dreams,” he says. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Jadhav with his mother Savita Narayan at their rented home in Bangalore. ”A mother always understands her child’s dreams,” he says. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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Jadhav says the challenges make his life interesting. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Jadhav says the challenges make his life interesting. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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Jadhav during a session with sports nutritionist Ryan Fernando in Bangalore. We can just wish the best to this extraordinary sportsperson! (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Jadhav during a session with sports nutritionist Ryan Fernando in Bangalore. We can just wish the best to this extraordinary sportsperson! (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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Jadhav says there is a huge difference in facilities for swimmers and para-swimmers in India. “Para-swimmers do not get as recognised as regular swimmers. This is not the case in other countries. It is high time the people and society changed their view and outlook towards the disabled,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Jadhav says there is a huge difference in facilities for swimmers and para-swimmers in India. “Para-swimmers do not get as recognised as regular swimmers. This is not the case in other countries. It is high time the people and society changed their view and outlook towards the disabled,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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Jadhav is training with his coach, Prasanta Karmakar . He trains for 2-2.5hours in the morning, works out for an hour in the afternoon and 2.5 hours in the evening. “It is an honour to represent your country,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Jadhav is training with his coach, Prasanta Karmakar . He trains for 2-2.5hours in the morning, works out for an hour in the afternoon and 2.5 hours in the evening. “It is an honour to represent your country,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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‘ Happiness does not come from doing easy work, but from the satisfaction of achievement,’ says Jadhav, who is training at the Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre in Bangalore. “My coach encouraged me to continue to train and Mr Chandrashekar from the Paralympic Association helped me succeed in the IWAS World Games 2015 held in Sochi, Russia. Ashok Deshpande and Kalpana Agashe, who trained me in Pune, kept me motivated.” (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

‘ Happiness does not come from doing easy work, but from the satisfaction of achievement,’ says Jadhav, who is training at the Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre in Bangalore. “My coach encouraged me to continue to train and Mr Chandrashekar from the Paralympic Association helped me succeed in the IWAS World Games 2015 held in Sochi, Russia. Ashok Deshpande and Kalpana Agashe, who trained me in Pune, kept me motivated.” (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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But getting support has not been easy for Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

But getting support has not been easy for Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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‘Hard work can get you anything, think of what you have and not what you don't have,’ says Jadhav. “I have very little time to train and I have to train harder to improve my timing. My sole aim is to qualify for the finals in Rio. After this, I will aim for the 2018 Asian Para Games, so I win more laurels for India ,” he says. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

‘Hard work can get you anything, think of what you have and not what you don't have,’ says Jadhav. “I have very little time to train and I have to train harder to improve my timing. My sole aim is to qualify for the finals in Rio. After this, I will aim for the 2018 Asian Para Games, so I win more laurels for India ,” he says. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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‘Hard work can get you anything, think of what you have and not what you don't have,’ says Jadhav. “I have very little time to train and I have to train harder to improve my timing. My sole aim is to qualify for the finals in Rio. After this, I will aim for the 2018 Asian Para Games, so I win more laurels for India ,” he says. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

‘Hard work can get you anything, think of what you have and not what you don't have,’ says Jadhav. “I have very little time to train and I have to train harder to improve my timing. My sole aim is to qualify for the finals in Rio. After this, I will aim for the 2018 Asian Para Games, so I win more laurels for India ,” he says. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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Although the Pune-based para-swimmer has not received help from the state government, his friends have been with him through the troubled times. “Friends stay strong with you so you don't have to face it alone,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

Although the Pune-based para-swimmer has not received help from the state government, his friends have been with him through the troubled times. “Friends stay strong with you so you don't have to face it alone,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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After the rigorous training, Jadhav plays a game on his mobile phone. “Disability is a matter of perception. It won't stop you from doing the things you enjoy doing,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

Updated on Jul 29, 2016 7:05 PM

After the rigorous training, Jadhav plays a game on his mobile phone. “Disability is a matter of perception. It won't stop you from doing the things you enjoy doing,” says Jadhav. (KUNAL PATIL/HT)

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