26-yr-old swimmer overcomes odds to win Tenzing Norgay award

He has several national and international swimming expeditions to his credit, where he has set a number of records. Among the major achievements are swimming the English Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, Catalina Channel, Manhattan Marathon Swim, Gateway of India to Dharamtar

NAVI MUMBAI Inspiring stories are made when excellence surpass expectations. And Shubham Vanmali, an international open water swimmer, has showcased how to fightback when the odds are stacked against you.

Navi Mumbai, India - December 10, 2022: Shubham Vanmali, who overcame asthma and learning disability, awarded Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in recognition of his unmatched dedication in Water Adventure, at Nerul, in Navi Mumbai, India, on Saturday, December 10, 2022. (Photo by Bachchan Kumar/HT PHOTO) (HT PHOTO)

The 26-year-old Nerul resident Shubham has been presented the prestigious Tenzing Norgay National Award in adventure sports by the ministry of youth affairs, government of India. Last month, he received the award from president of India Draupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in Delhi.

While there is nothing that Shubham has not won, this award is special considering he had been diagnosed with asthma and learning disability in his childhood. He took it as a challenge and as they say, the rest is history.

The latest honour comes in the wake of a series of unmatched accomplishments by Shubham who is also an entrepreneur and a motivational speaker. He has several national and international swimming expeditions to his credit, where he has set a number of records. Among the major achievements are swimming the English Channel, Strait of Gibraltar, Catalina Channel, Manhattan Marathon Swim, Gateway of India to Dharamtar , Gateway of India to Dahanu Beach etc. He has also excelled by winning gold in international events like the Grand Dublin Swim and National Irish Swim.

Speaking on his journey, Subham revealed, “When I was diagnosed with asthma as a child, the doctor advised swimming to increase my lung capacity and so I took it up as a regular exercise. Later, my parents came to know of my learning disability. We then decided to ensure that it doesn’t get in the way of my life and worked on it.”

He revealed that he began competing at the district and national level when he was just nine, and took to international water swimming when he turned 18 in 2014. “I was then the youngest in the world to swim the English Channel from England to France and also the Strait of Gibraltar with an Asian record,” he said.

Talking about his latest achievement, he said, “Since childhood, I have watched the top national athletes win the award on TV. Now that I too have won it motivates me for my plans ahead.”

Shubham who has over 10 international swims and several Limca Book records to his name, is now preparing for a Guinness record through which he wants to give back to the society. “I want to create awareness on learning disability and support children affected by it as I know what such a child goes through. In February, I plan to swim 413 km stretch from Goa to Mumbai in 15 days. My aim will be to raise funds for an NGO working with such children,” he revealed.

As an advice to parents, he said, “My success has been due to love and support I have always received from all quarters, and of course, my parents. Their background in sports has certainly helped. They never pressured me but always encouraged and helped me identify my talent. It is important that people realise that children with learning disability have other special talent which should be tapped and encouraged.”

Shubham’s father Dhananjay is a former national volley ball player. According to him, the family had been awaiting this moment for past six years. “The national award has not come easy. We had been waiting for the past six years and Shubham gave everything for this.”

His mother Dipika, a former national kabaddi player said as a sportswoman she understood the value of this recognition. “Nothing can beat getting the honour from country’s highest authority. I, as a sportsperson, understand what it really means. I can’t describe the moment at the award ceremony when the national anthem was played.”

Shubham’s sister Siddhi, also a national swimmer, said that her brother is a major source of inspiration for her. “He has taught me that nothing is impossible to do if you are really determined,” she said.

Former international open water swimmer and Shubham’s coach Rupali Repale, described his fighting spirit and determination. “Even the long break of two years due Covid did not deter Shubham. He continued his efforts relentlessly managing to sustain during the tough times. His dedication and hardwork has been rewarded,” Repale said, under whom Shubham is presently practicing at Palava in Dombivli.