Showing his grit

After a dream outing in his first ever international event last year, Mumbai-based para swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh is gearing up for his second international exposure in Berlin. The 30-year-old will be among the top five Para athletes from India who will participate in the Para Swimming championship in Berlin, Germany from July 3 to July 9. The participation of all the Indian athletes will be fully funded by the Government of India backed Sports Authority of India.

Shaikh, who won bronze in 100m breaststroke at the para swimming championship in Canada last July, is hoping to do well in Berlin to qualify for the 2018 Para Asian Games. It will held in Jakarta in the month of October.

“I am partcipating in 50m butterfly S5 category in Berlin. My main aim is to qualify for the 2018 Para Asian Games,” he says.

His outstanding performance in Jaipur Para nationals in April improved his ranking and won him the selection for Berlin championship. “I won gold in 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle. Besides I won two silver medals also,” he added.

Mumbai-based para swimmer Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh will be accompanied by Suyash Jadhav of Solapur and Kanchan Pandey of Nagpur during the Para Swimming championship in Berlin, Germany from July 3 to July 9. Kanchan will be escorted by Jaimala Pandey. They are set to leave for New Delhi on July 1 and will board a flight for Germany on July 2. Total five Indian para swimmers will partcipate in the championship. The other two are Swapnil Patil of Haryana and Kiran Tak of Rajasthan. Kanwaljeet is the coach while Surender Bhalla is the team manager.