Swimmer Niranjan Mukundan stands with a steely spine against a sea of painful failures.
Talking to Hindustan Times, Niranjan Mukundan discussed his experience as a para swimmer and the disappointment that ended his hopes of competing in the Paralympics in Paris.
It was anticipated that Niranjan Mukundan, the first paralympian from India to win 100 medals at an international competition, would be competing in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. After missing out on the men’s 50-meter butterfly S7 final in Tokyo three summers prior, Mukundan was desperate to qualify for Paris earlier this month and then pursue his first Paralympic medal. But a foot ulcer during the qualifying procedure dashed his hopes, and he had to go back home to recover. However, Mukundan views it as merely a small setback in an otherwise remarkable career.
Mukundan, who was born with spina bfida, a congenital condition characterized by inadequate spinal growth, lost months of school and recuperated via numerous surgeries. As part of his physical therapy, his doctor recommended that he start swimming or horseback riding when he was seven years old. He chose the former, and the rest, as he put it, is “history”.
Mukundan, who was born with spina bfida, a congenital condition characterized by inadequate spinal growth, lost months of school and recuperated via numerous surgeries. As part of his physical therapy, his doctor recommended that he start swimming or horseback riding when he was seven years old. He chose the former, and the rest, as he put it, is “history”.
In an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, Mukundan talked about his experiences as a para swimmer and the disappointment that dashed his hopes of competing in the Paralympics in Paris. Additionally, he discussed how his relationship with Evocus has impacted his journey.
