Kushagra Rawat of Delhi needs no introduction. He has earned himself a reputation of being one of the leading Indian swimmers. He is the only Indian swimmer to have qualified “B” cut timings in three swimming events for upcoming Tokyo Olympics. With the swimming pools continuing to be shut because of the pandemic, Rawat is out of water since his return from Sydney after his competition there in March. But undeterred by these hurdles resulting from pandemic, the 20-year-old swimmer continues to workout outside water on dry land. He hopes to fulfill his dream to represent India in the Tokyo Olympics.
Kushagra can be seen every morning at Rajpath, India Gate doing workout and on the terrace of his home in the evening. The Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) second year student, Kushagra doesn’t shy away from doing the household work. Kushagra swims with Glenmark swimming academy in Delhi.
In an interview, the star swimmer spoke at length about various aspects of his career and ambition. Excerpts:
Q. The current pandemic has led to closure of swimming pools in India, with swimmers like you not being able to do practice ahead of important events like Olympics. What is your take on this?
A. Several countries have opened their swimming pools with SOPs in May and June. However, India’s swimming pools are still shut. I just hope our government reviews and reopens swimming pools so all swimmers get the chance to do proper practice and get trained. During this period of Covid-19 my father played my training partner. He himself has been playing football for State Bank of India since 1981 and has been my biggest support along with my coach who constantly guided me.
Q. When did you plunge into a swimming career?
A. It was in 2007 when I was introduced to swimming and started taking interest in it.
Q. Who was your first coach?
A. Mr. S K Sharma, Head of Department, Sports at St. Xavier’s was the first coach of mine.
Q. Every sports person does recall a particular incident which at some point of time proved to be a turning point in his life. Do you also revisit such moment that was turning point in your life?
A. When I started my swimming (first time outside my school in the year 2012) at SPM Swimming pool, Tal Katora, one senior coach had denied training me. In the same year I was asked to participate in 50×4 mtrs FS relay and stood 4th. I was selected to reporesent India in SAARC, Sri Lanka in 2016.
Q. Would you like to share the moment of your life that you consider to be the most cherished moment?
A. It was when I won a medal in SAARC Sri Lanka and Asian Age Group Swimming championship, Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2017.
Q. What are the major achievements that you would like to share?
A. Malaysia Age Group Swimming 2019, where I got 2 golds 1 silver. Similarly, Asian age group swimming competition 2017, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where I won 2 silvers, 1 Bronze.
Similarly, I won two golds in SAARC swimming championships 2016. I won five golds in the 10th Asian Age group championship. I was also awarded the best swimmer trophy, 2019. I won 3 Gold medals and one silver in South Asian Games held at Kathmandu, Nepal in 2019. I am holding the best Indian performance title. Qualifying for three events in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics-2021 is also an achievement.
Q. To whom do you give credit for all the achievements you have made?
A. I give credit for my success to my coaches as well as parents.
Q. If you are asked to give suggestions for the improvement and progress of swimming in India, what would be that? A. Catch children at 7 years of age, with a review after every three years upto group one junior.
A programme should be made for updation of latest swimming techniques with coaches should train them to get the results accordingly. For that purpose, swimming camps for the coaches should also be held regularly.
Q. What all has changed for good in swimming in India, with academies all around in the country?
A. Government has introduced incentive/ scholarship for promotion of swimming. Khelo-India, a National level sports has also been introduced.
Q. Finally, what message would you like to give to those seeking to make career in swimming?
A. Your aim must be high, make your efforts accordingly, you will get your goal nearby. Believe in yourself. Enjoy life by staying positive, happy and healthy.
(The interviewer is Assistant Professor in LSR, DU and a wellknown swimmer)