There are inspiring stories and then there is the journey of Indian Para Swimmer Niranjan Mukundan. When they say that your only limit is your own mindset, it’s certainly not applicable for this particular para-athlete. It requires a special character, mental strength and will to succeed to not only overcome 19 surgeries but win 50 International medals, become Junior World Champion and the Asian record holder, the youngest winner of India’s National Award, be recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30 in Asia 2019 and become a TEDx speaker.

In an exclusive interview with SPOGO, Niranjan Mukundan gets up close and personal with his inspirations, motivations, training, challenges, proudest achievements, mental strength, family support, future goals and much more!

Q 1) Can you please take us through your journey, how were you first introduced to swimming and who has been your inspiration, what motivated you to take up the sport professionally?

I was born with a medical condition called Spina Bifida and for the same I have undergone 19 major/minor surgeries since birth. I was introduced to swimming at the age of 7-8 as part of aqua therapy to strengthen my legs and other muscles. That's when I fell in love with the sport and decided to take it up professionally. My family is/was my pillar of strength in taking up swimming and have supported me in my journey till today.

Q 2) While India has seen para – athletes perform on the world stage, most of them struggle to get sponsorship. Have you ever faced these challenges and how did you overcome them?

Initially yes, that was because people did not have the awareness about para sports and para athletes, but over the years that perspective has changed and I wouldn't say we get a lot of sponsorship but if corporates and other companies come forward and help us (the para-athletes) it would be great for us to represent our country and win laurels at the highest levels.

Q 3) As a para-athlete in India, how difficult was it to pursue swimming? How did you train to become a champion?

There weren't many coaches who were specialised in para swimming training. My coach Mr. John Christopher also initially worked a lot on my body balance and buoyancy to figure out my strengths and weaknesses. Then we slowly improved on my technique, stroke and speed.

Q 4) Does the Indian sports ecosystem provide adequate support through infrastructure and training support? How did you overcome them?

I would say we still don't have differently abled friendly infrastructure everywhere in our country. I hope that situation changes in the near future. I have been training abroad for a few years now and I spend a lot of time overseas with High Performance Training.

Q 5) You have won 50 International medals for India and have received recognition for your contribution. What is your proudest achievement so far?

Crossing the 50 International medals mark was a great milestone for me as I became the first Indian Para Swimmer to win over 50 medals representing our country. I think getting the title "Junior World Champion" is something to remember as well as winning at the Asian games was another thing to cherish. Making it to the Forbes 30 U30 Asia list was also a great surprise in 2019. I also have a nickname "Medal Machine".

Q 6) How important of a role have your parents/ mentors / coach played in your career? How did they support you in your journey so far?

I have been blessed to have this family, my parents, my sister and my late grandmother (who succumbed to Covid recently) who was also a big inspiration for me and she was the one who introduced me to para swimming at that time as both my parents were working. My family has been very supportive in general and had my back everytime in whatever decisions I have taken. My parents are more like my friends and have always stood by my happy times as well as hard ones. My coach Mr. John Christopher was the one who spotted me at a young age and I am what I am because of him today. We have a great bond together as an athlete and a coach. A foundation named GoSports Foundation joined my journey a few years ago and they have been helping me with access to specialists like nutritionists, physiotherapists and other swimming related needs.

Q 7) It is said, para-athletes overcome their physical inability with the power of their mind? Can you guide us on how you condition yourself to develop mental strength?

I always move around with a positive attitude and that's something which keeps me grounded. You have to be mentally strong as you are physically working towards your goals and It takes years and years of hard work to reach your goals and dreams. You should be willing to be patient and sacrifice small things to achieve those big goals which are all in the head first and then the body.

Q 8) What do you think needs to be done to support more para-athletes to be successful at the highest level?

I definitely think that if we could get some push/boost from the corporates and companies investing in us, in our training, in our future goals that would be really wonderful. We also represent our country at the highest levels and I feel we deserve that support.

Q 9) What are your future goals and aspirations? How do you plan to achieve them?

Currently I have clocked the "B" qualifying time for the Paralympics 2021 and I am 0.11 microseconds away from the "A" qualifying time. The current pandemic situation has put my qualifications on hold as there are a lot of international travel restrictions. I hope to get the qualification as soon as the situation gets better. It's been my dream to represent our country at the Paralympics, so I hope to qualify. In the longer term, I have the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games coming up next year 2022 and I want to start my own sporting academy to help the next generation of athletes (both for para as well as abled).

Q 10) You are an inspiration to millions out there, what would your advice be for those, physically challenged individuals, who want to take up sports and bring laurels for their families and the country?

Do what you love and love what you do, that would surely take you to heights and make you reach your goals and dreams.