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City teen swims her way to golden glory
It turned out to be a Super Sunday for 14-year-old swimmer Akanksha Mahapatro, who bagged five gold medals at the Delhi State Open Swimming Championship held in the city on August 12.
It turned out to be a Super Sunday for 14-year-old swimmer Akanksha Mahapatro, who bagged five gold medals at the Delhi State Open Swimming Championship held in the city on August 12.
Mahapatro, who trains under Sandip Tokas at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sector 14 competed against seasoned swimmers in the age group of 18-19 years.
Accolades have fallen into her kitty in the last one month. During the 39th Open National Aquatic Championship held from July 11-15 in Chennai, she bagged one silver and three bronze medals in the under-14 age category.
Mahapatro, who began her swimming classes as a pass time in 2006, has now mastered the backstroke, butterfly stroke and individual medley.
Her mother Sunita quit her job of a cabin crew with an international airline to be by Mahapatro’s side every time she took a plunge into the swimming pool.
“She did not know swimming at all. However within a week, she had learnt to swim without floaters and mastered her strokes,” she added.
Mahapatro follows a rigorous schedule which involves intense workout in the water, gym and on ground. Despite her busy routine, her results have never gone down.
“I want to study sports medicine,” said a beaming Mahapatro.
“My dream is to be a part of the Indian national swimming team for the Olympics-2016,” she added.
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