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Indian swimmer Niranjan Mukundan was born with spina bifida, which is an incomplete spinal cord formation.
This means 19 surgeries, absences from school and months of recovery.
At the age of seven, Mukundan was suggested to swim as a spa treatment to allow him to fight The way he achieved victory in a rough life.
By the age of 18, he won his first international medal, and by the age of 25, he became the first Indian swimmer to win 50 international medals for his country.
He also won the Youth World Championship in 2015 with a record-breaking performance. Mukundan has also become the youngest recipient of the prestigious national award issued by the Indian government.
Mu Kundan could not walk when he was a child and had to undergo surgery at the age of one.
Al Jazeera told him about his journey, challenges, dreams and how he lived a life he had no choice.
Al Jazeera: When did you realize that you wanted to become a professional swimmer?
From: In 2003, I started swimming as a treatment and realized that it has a cathartic feeling. I can’t walk, but I can swim. Without gravity pulling me down, I feel like a fish. Within three months, I knew this was my sport. Someone told me that I am a super kid, which fits my character. The purpose at the beginning was to strengthen my legs and make me notice. The coaches found me and thought I could be introduced to the disabled sports representing Karnataka. All of this in six months. My parents also took some risks in sports.
Al Jazeera: What challenges must you face?
From: India has no knowledge about the movement of people with disabilities. People don’t know that we (athletes of different abilities) compete with the biggest athletes. They did not realize that this was an elite sport. The Paralympics also include the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. We are under the same pressure as healthy athletes, or even more.
Al Jazeera: What is your disability experience?
Mukundan: For the first eight years of my life, I had to be taken with me. My parents took me from the bedroom to the living room to participate in family activities and social activities. Our own circle of friends and relatives will tell my parents to feed me and let me rest at home-why do I carry the burden everywhere?
People think that I will never be independent.
In my early sports career, people did not see my family support my swimming logic. They don’t believe that competitive sports is for disability. My parents were advised to send me to a special school. But they never hesitate to support me with whatever I want.we [disabled people] People sympathetically see that we have obstacles and that we cannot do what normal people can do. I want to show the world our hidden potential, which can open the way for us and the entire community.
You didn’t find willpower, you created it.
Hope to participate in the competition soon…@KirenRijiju @TheBridge_IN @ Paralympic Games India @shalinirajnish @narayanagowdakc #motivation #wednesdaythought #wednesdayvibes #health #2021 target #tokyo2021 #Swim pic.twitter.com/a3BTW2TOSV
-Niranjan_Mukundan (wSwimmerNiranjan) February 10, 2021
Al Jazeera: You mentioned that your family made your career possible. how is it?
Mukundan: I have the full support of my family. If my family discourages me, I will not be able to do it when I was young or even now. Last month, my 81-year-old grandmother died of COVID. She gave me a lot of inspiration, and I was very close to her. My parents have to work outside the city, and she will take me to training regularly.
Al Jazeera: How about the summit trip?
From: I looked forward to winning a medal in the first game representing my state, but I lost miserably. At that moment, I questioned my destiny: why I was born with a disability, and I wanted to give up my dream. Due to surgery, my swimming trip was put on hold many times. This is not easy. But with every operation, every setback, I think I will become stronger and stronger.
I told myself that even though my body is recovering, my spirit is strong. I confirm every day that I am getting better. The tough times are temporary. When you lose, you become stronger. Stick to your strengths and make up for your weaknesses. During the lockdown, when I couldn’t swim, I imagined my training. Just like I did out-of-the-box training many times during my recovery period after surgery. I was asked to visualize each training session, such as running 100 laps in the specified time, cooling down 500 meters, and so on.
Al Jazeera: What was in your mind before and during the game?
From: There is not much time to think during the game, because they will not last long. This is just a circle. But I have sleepless nights before the game. In the morning, I spent some quiet time, eating a light breakfast and drinking water. We were all asked to sit in the call room before the game. The atmosphere there is tense. Some athletes kicked their legs, some coaches cheered up, some jumped around to relax their muscles. I put on my headphones, put on the song “Alone” by Alan Walker, and walked around, releasing my nervous energy.
Al Jazeera: What do you want to happen to the infrastructure here?
From: Since the last two Paralympics, disabled athletes have performed well in swimming, track and field, table tennis and weightlifting. We have proven our courage. For me, it is possible to continue to exercise because my school gives me buffer and support. They moved my class to the first floor and worked overtime with me. Schools should encourage sports at all levels. Sports venues across the country should be built in a way that is friendly to the disabled. Progress has been made in this direction. We also need more sponsorship.
Al Jazeera: Injuries, surgery… How much did these setbacks affect you?
Mukundan: I have no sensation below my knee, so for the past 10 to 11 years, I have had ulcers on my feet. This will force me to stop practicing for six weeks to two months at a time. Sometimes I train well, but I cannot participate in activities.
My love for this sport and pride in my country make me rise up after every setback. Not everyone has the opportunity to represent the country at the highest level. Given my condition and the 19 surgeries I have done, this allows me to look at sports from a different perspective. Initially, it was about applause and appreciation and people congratulating me. Now, it’s about understanding myself, appreciating my own body and the miracles it can create. After each setback, my spirit became stronger and my body was healed. When the attitude is right, the medal will go around your neck.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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