Visiting hospitals frequently for surgeries to manage the complications of spina bifida (a birth defect where the spinal cord does not develop properly), missing participating in international competitions despite being qualified, and being forced to take a break for about three months for rehabilitation can break even a strong person’s spirits. But Paralympic swimmer Niranjan Mukundan, who has undergone 19 surgeries for ulcers on his foot and heels due to spina bifida so far, says he comes back stronger after each surgery.

The 29-year-old Bangalore-based athlete has won 98 medals at national and international events. In 2015, when he was 21 years old, he became the youngest person with a disability to win the National Award for a Sportsperson from the government of India. He was crowned the Junior World Champion in the same year. He also represented India at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2020. Recently, he has broken the 16-year-old Asian record, created by Jumpei Kimura of Japan, at the Norwegian Swimming Championships 2023.

Swimming as aqua therapy to manage spina bifida

Mukundan took to swimming at the age of seven after his doctor recommended aqua therapy to strengthen his legs. “I vaguely remember getting into the pool. I was not scared as I have always been a water and beach person. Being in the water was actually freeing. On land, I was being carried from place to place by my parents, but in water, I could tap my hands and move about by myself,” he says.

As a kid, he did not consider competing internationally. It was coach John Christopher who spotted him and convinced both him and his parents to let him participate in competitions. Chirstopher is his head coach to date. And once Mukundan won his first medal, there was no looking back. “As I won national-level medals, I began thinking that I could represent India on international platforms too,” he recalls. And while it has not been an easy journey, it has certainly been an eventful one.

The Paralympic swimmer’s journey

Mukundan has had to undergo several surgeries, which also come with a long recovery process. “I was injured about 10 days before the 2014 Commonwealth games and required surgery,” he recalls. “And post-surgery, the recovery and rehab take two to three months. I had to return to swimming slowly after each operation.” He also missed out on the 2018 Asian Games and the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester. “With my medical condition and the fact that I’m prone to injuries, it’s best for me to accept such situations and move on, rather than crib about it,” he says.

He was also bedridden for almost three weeks before Asian Games 2023. He missed the bronze medal by mere seconds at this event. He says, “I had only four to five weeks to prepare and did all I could.”

What keeps him going?

The paralympic swimmer trains twice a day, followed by strength and conditioning sessions at the gym six days a week. His diet mostly includes foods that are low-carb, high-protein and low-fat. Ask what motivates him and he says, it’s his love for the sport and the opportunity to represent India internationally. “There’s a certain pride in wearing and representing the tricolor,” he says.

He has a small pre-ritual. Before every race, he puts on his headphones, playing Alan Walker songs on loud to help cut out all the noise outside. “There’s always a lot of pressure to perform and people’s expectations that keep echoing in my head. I try to focus on keeping calm before the race and finishing it, giving my best. So, I stay in my own zone and do not talk much before entering the race. It’s just me and my music,” he says.

Swimming and beyond: The Paralympic athlete’s sporty side

While swimming began as therapy for Mukundan, it now has become his identity. “I am what I am today because of my sport. It made me a better person. It’s given me a life and identity,” he says, adding it owes it all to his family, friends and coaches who have supported him throughout the journey.

Apart from swimming, he enjoys traveling and adventure sports like skydiving and scuba diving. He is currently preparing for the upcoming Paralympic Games of Paris 2024. He also plans to set up a foundation or academy to help more para-athletes realize their dreams by offering them access to expertise and training.

Takeaways

Niranjan Mukundan, born with spina bifida, took to aqua therapy to strengthen his legs. But he found a sense of freedom in the water and decided to start taking part in swimming competitions after his coach convinced him and his family. 19 surgeries later, he has 98 medals to his credit. He trains twice a day and undergoes strength and conditioning training six days a week. And while post-surgery recovery and rehab take two to three months, the pride of wearing the tricolor and representing his nation keep him going.