Chennai: Mohithkumar started learning swimming from a tender age – but he does not hesitate to say that he disliked it. But fast forward to present-day: the 17-year-old — a resident of Alwarthirunagar — has made a name for himself by winning numerous national-level accolades and loves swimming.
Speaking to News Today, Mohith says, “My parents made me enrol for swimming classes when I was just in my second grade. In the beginning, I didn’t like it but my coach inspired me saying that I have a lot of potential in me.”
Since 2016, Mohith has been selected to represent the Tamilnadu State team. In 2018, he made heads turn when he won bronze in the national championship conducted by School Games Federation of India (SGFI) in 4×100 freestyle relay swimming.
He was also selected for Khelo India 2018-19 where he won two silver medals. Here, he was chosen as a promising sports personality and sponsored by the Central government.
“He has a very hectic schedule. His day starts at 5 am and ends at 9.30 pm. As parents, we support him in all respect. He is blessed to get one of the best coaches in the field, Veerabhadran of SDAT, at Velcheri who moulded him,” says his father Krishna.
Mohith is currently practising for SGFI’s State and national meet to be held in October-November. What is the benefit of swimming? Mohith believes that swimming is one of the very few physical activities where the entire body is used. “You use your arms and legs to move forward. And you also use your mind to concentrate on your breathing. While taking part in swimming competitions, you need to have a calm head while going in and coming out of the water,” he says.
Mohith’s father Krishna is hopeful that his son gets into a college through sports quota. “I don’t want my son to not only be good at sports but also excel in academics,” he says.
Reach him at 98842 60427.