The winning stroke
CHENNAI: If there’s one trait that describes 17-year-old swimmer D Adhithya, it is the killer instinct. At the recently concluded 35th Sub Junior and 45th Junior Aquatic Championship, he clinched seven gold medals and emerged as an individual champion in boys Group 1 category.
In the last nine years of swimming, Adhithya has won 14 individual championships titles. He now has his eyes set on more medals in the upcoming nationals swimming event which will be held in Pune from June 24. The young swimmer has so far bagged 85 gold, 35 silver and 19 bronze medals at various
levels of competitions. He also won a gold medal for the country in South Asian Age Group Championship in 2016.
Adhithya started swimming at the age of seven and then participated in the first competitive-level tournament a year later in 2009. His first national participation was in 2011 and since then the lanky swimmer never failed to meet expectations. He is currently in class 12 at GK Shetty Hindu Vidyalaya School, Adambakkam, and practices swimming at the Tamil Nadu Swimming Parents Association (TSPA). “When he goes to school he practices for five hours a day — two hours in the morning and three hours in the evening. But for the upcoming nationals, he practiced for six hours a day. He has a killer instinct, is competitive and well focused, which is rare to find in teenagers,” said Adhithya’s coach RV Veerabhadran.
While Veerabhadran got transferred to Tirunelveli District Swimming Association, he still monitors Adhithya’s practice.
“I told him where he needs to improve. My assistants train him and I talk to him regularly and keep a check on his progress,” said the coach.
Diet plays a crucial role for a swimmer to maintain energy levels. Adhithya has been restricted from having junk food. “For the past six years, I have not eaten street food. I avoid fried items and beverages. I make sure to have fruit juices, nuts, dry fruits and eggs daily. If I’m not swimming, then I watch movies,” said the die-hard Black Panther fan.
He started young
Adhithya started swimming at the age of seven and then participated in the first competitive-level tournament a year later in 2009