CWG 2010 Update: iSporter Jigar Mehta spoke to Para-swimmer Prasanta Karmakar prior to the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Controversies aside, confident Indian sportsmen is what we should look forward to in the CWG 2010.
Commonwealth Games Medals Table
Swimming is one of the oldest forms of competitive sports. Swimming was established as a sporting activity in the early 1800’s in Europe.
One of the adaptations of the sport of swimming is for athletes with disabilities called Paralympic swimming. Since the first Paralympic Games in Rome in 1960, Swimming has been one of the main sports of the Paralympics.
In paralympic Swimming athletes are classified based on their functional ability to perform each stroke & type and extent of their disability. The classification system allows swimmers to compete against others with a similar level of function.
With the popularity of the sport increasing, India is not left far behind and we have a reason to celebrate as our champion swimmers are creating waves around the world with their performances at the international level.
For the first time, Indian swimmers - four of them with varying levels of disability - have qualified for the biggest event in paralympic swimming, the International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championship in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
One of them is 19-year-old Sharath Gayakawad, ranked 16th in his category for 50 metre freestyle swimming & the other one is India’s top Para swimmer Prasanta Karmakar, officially ranked the Asian No.3 in the S-9 category.
Prasanta is currently ranked Asia's no. 3 in four different events - 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke and 200m Individual Medley & was one of the most successful swimmers in the recently concluded IWAS Games held in Bangalore with 4 gold, 2 silver & 1 bronze medals & continued his splendid form in the recently concluded International German Open swimming championship with a Bronze medal in 50M Backstroke event.
With his great dedication & determination & all his achievements he has been a great inspiration to a lot of sportsmen around the world and a true champion and patriot making the whole country proud.
I had this great opportunity to interview this brave champion from Kolkata.
Here are some excerpts from my talk with Prasanta;
Jigar@iSport: How were your experiences at the recently concluded International Paralympics Committee Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands?
Prasanta: My experiences were absolutely amazing!
Jigar@iSport: How big an occasion it was for you taking into consideration that India had qualified for one of the biggest event in Paralympics swimming for the first time?
Prasanta: After the Paralympic Games this is second biggest event in the world. It feels great to participate and represent India at this level. The expectations were also very less as most of the representatives from other countries were surprised to see an Indian team being a part of this big event.
Jigar@iSport: Your performance at the International German Open was pretty good and you won a Bronze medal in Men's 50 meter butterfly event talk us through your experiences and how has it helped you in your preparations?
Prasanta: My performances at these championships were quiet satisfying as I won a Bronze medal in Men's 50 meter Backstroke event which also is is an Asian record (32.12)
I also clocked Asian records in the 50 meter butterfly event (29.84) & 50 meter breaststroke event (35.99). These performances have of course added to my confidence.
Jigar@iSport: One of the largest multi-sport events is just round the corner; what are your views and expectations from the Commonwealth Games?
Prasanta: Commonwealth Games is a big platform for us and I would like to say that at least one Paralympic medal is waiting for the country & for that I want every one’s support.
Jigar@iSport: How are your preparations going on for the CWG? Any special kind of preparations?
Prasanta: I am happy with my current training regime, I am lucky to get an opportunity to train with India’s best swimmers and my training is going absolutely well according to plans. It’s really heartening to see so many people working with me and helping me to make the country proud.
Jigar@iSport: Have the recent ongoing controversies regarding the CWG affected your preparations in any way?
Prasanta: No comments
Jigar@iSport: Your medals were won across many categories, which are the events you will be competiting in CWG this time around? Which is your personal favourite?
Prasanta: This time around I would be competiting in the 50 metre freestyle event which is also my personal favourite.
Jigar@iSport: Are there any specific targets that you have set with regards to breaking of records or betterment of them?
Prasanta: Yes, this time around I will try to beat my own timing that I had clocked in last German championship; I clocked 27:92 which helped me qualify for World Championships. Before I left India I had a trial practice in which I bettered my own timing and my target is to get this converted at the International level.
Jigar@iSport: Despite your condition/disability, how do you manage to carry out different physically demanding exercises?
Prasanta: To be honest, it’s a secret and I only share it within my group. But if you really want to see how I manage to carry out my exercises please come over to my training centre and see how I carry them out. I assure you that it will be time well spent!
Jigar@iSport: Tell us something about your ongoing chemistry with your current coach Nihar Ameen & his role in your future preparations?
Prasanta: He has been a great driving force encouraging me at each and every step, we share a great chemistry. His dream is to see me win a medal at the 2010 London Paralympic games and I think I won’t disappoint him either. I have the desired confidence, but I don’t want to continue after the Paralympic Games.
Jigar@iSport: Are you satisfied with the current facilities provided for the disabled sportsmen in the country? If not what improvements would you like to see?
Prasanta: No I am not satisfied at all; everybody knows what kinds of facilities are provided. For the last 2 years I have been training on my own in Bangalore with only a few people supporting me continue my training. I am training in Bangalore for CWG & the Asian games. I am playing for the pride of the nation and am sad that only a few people recognise this!
Jigar@iSport: Are you disappointed that despite your efforts you haven’t received any national honours till date?
Prasanta: I know that I am the best swimmer in the country & I am not a beggar; I don’t want to beg or buy the award. If you see my performances in the last 3 years I have won 14 international medals coupled with 3 new Asian records this in itself speaks the volumes. I don’t think in these years anybody has achieved as much as I have! Whether my name is there or not; what matters the most is I want to play for my country and make my country proud. It’s India that I play for!
Jigar@iSport: What are your future plans after the CWG?
Prasanta: As I have already shared I don’t want to continue swimming, I have my own family, for the last 5 years I have been away from my family crossing innumerable hurdles as they come by, but now I have been made to think as there is no support from the association nor from the government especially when I am trying to do something for my country.
Jigar@iSport: Any Message to the sports ministry and your fans?
Prasanta:
(i) Friends – “If you have the guts and the required support in the sporting industry only then would I recommend that you choose sports as a profession. Otherwise concentrate on your future education!”
(ii) Sports Ministry- “Sir! Please think about us!”
Jigar@iSport: Message to your fans on iSport!
Prasanta: I am glad to receive support from the iSport platform & I dearly thank the iSport fans for giving me some space!
Here’s iSport gunning for and wishing Prasanta Karmakar ‘All the Best’ for the 2010 Commonwealth Games!
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a guest
said:
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... Hi, It is great day for me, when my schoolmate wining India's 1st medal in swimming for India in CWG. He had lost his hand during his childhood in a accident. he had bought up at Bally,Howrah in West Bengal. He had completed his education from Belur High school ( Near BelurMath ) with me . He was a good swimmer from his childhood. He used to practice swimming in BALLY SWIMMING CLUB in BALLY, Howrah under famous coach GanRanjan ( Ganda). He always wanted to compete in the national level, now he is competing in the World event. Now he had shifted his base to Haryana due to bad treatment from WB Govt. Wish him best of luck & hope he will remember me, wish to meet with him again. Thanks, Arunava Biswas |
Jigar Mehta
said:
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... Congrats ur promise came true it was my pleasure that i got a chance to interview a champion best of luck to you prasanta for the future : Jigar Mehta |
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