Ten year-old Suryanshu Basa is definitely not swimming against the tide. Training at the V4 Aquatic Centre in LB Nagar on the outskirts of Hyderabad, Suryanshu has been making waves in the pool in the recent past with performances which have raised expectations from the experts in the field.
A VI-standard student of Akshara International School, Suryanshu’s recent six-gold haul in the AP State Sub-junior championship at the Secunderabad GHMC pool can well be just another reminder of his grit and determination in pursuit of excellence at the higher levels.
That this young swimmer meant business was also evident by the two new State records he set in the 50 m ad the 100 m freestyle events which also saw him win the overall individual championship title in the Group V boys category in the State meet. Suryanshu is also delighted that his tally of six gold is the highest by a swimmer in the Group 4 category since the last three years.
“My dream is to represent India one day and bring name and fame. I love to be there in the water,” says Suryanshu who will now represent the State in the Sub-junior Nationals to be held in Indore from June 26 to 29. “I don’t want to think of anything else other than giving my best. Once that happens, the results will be there,” he adds.
Coached by Rahul Narwaria at the Aquatic Centre after an earlier training stint at the GMC Balayogi swimming pool in Gachibowli, when Suresh fine-tuned the rough edges in his skills, Suryanshu is confidence personified. “With my parents supporting me all the way, I have every reason to think big and work as hard as possible,” he says.
This young swimmer can well be another example of how one can combine academics and sporting excellence with ease. For Suryanshi secured 93 per cent in his studies. “He is a coach’s delight. Very diligent and rarely misses a training session. If he keeps going like this showing all the desired commitment and putting up hard work, Suryanshu can go a log way,” says the proud coach Narwaria.
With 20 gold, five silver and four bronze in the last two years in different State-level meets, Suryanshu is clearly looking ahead.
