It was six out of six for C.J. Sanjay of Karnataka in the National sub-junior aquatic championship held at Indore last month. The 12-year trainee, who is coached by Nihar Ameen at the Dolphin Swim Centre won all the six events that he participated in Boys Group III section in the championship and set new National records. The races Sanjay excelled were 50, 100, 200 metre Freestyle and 100 metre butterfly. He was a part of the State relay quartet that won the 4x 50 freestyle and 4 x 50 metre medley relay, setting more national records. He also bagged the best swimmer in his group.
Winning has been a habit with this youngster. He has won 77 medals , established 22 records both at the National and state-level and won best swimmer awards several times. Hours of training under the watchful eyes of Nihar Ameen and his coaching team have made Sanjay a bright future prospect for the country. “If one is to check times from some of the elite swimming nations, you will find these times are some of the fastest in the world for a 12 year old. For instance, in 50 freestyle, he has clocked 26.56 seconds against the American best time of 26.99. The same goes for the 100 metre freestyle and the 100 metre butterfly. It only indicates his huge potential,” says Nihar Ameen.
The coach feels that Sanjay should not rest on his laurels . The coach hopes to work hard on Sanjay’s strokes and fitness. “He is only 12 years-old and is bound to improve with age.”
As far as Sanjay is concerned, he dreams big. “My aim is to win an Olympic medal for the country in near future,” says the lad, without batting an eyelid.
