Swapnali Yadav, a 13-yr-old awimmer, runner & cyclist, proves women can achieve anything.
"Women can do everything if they really want to. Running a marathon is also possible if you set targets and put your heart into it. I want to win the Stayfree DNA I Can Women’s Half Marathon," says a young, bubbly and talented Swapnali Yadav. At first glance, the 13 year old comes across as any other teenager. But when you see her running, cycling or swimming tirelessly, you know she is a rare talent. And there are achievements to prove that.
The standard VIII student of Bombay Cambridge School in Andheri has been breaking records since she was seven. What is even more commendable is that she has achieved global recognition by winning several national and international competitions.
Among her prominent achievements are winning the gold medal in the Round the Sound Swimathon — Bermuda, Atlantic Ocean, in 2009. She finished the 10km race in 3 hours and 52 minutes. The next year, she won two gold medals by covering 10 miles in 6 hours and 23 minutes in the Annual Kingdom Swim, Lake Memphremagog, USA, as well as winning the Sri Chinmoy Capital Swim in Canberra, Australia.
Yadav's biggest and most daring achievement was winning the Lake Argyle Swim in Australia in 2011. The teenager swam 20km surrounded by 3,500 crocodiles in 7 hours and 7 minutes to win the competition against girls and boys older than her. She does not want to sit back on her laurels though.
"I want to cross the English Channel and compete in other long-distance events. However, children below 16 years are not allowed in most international competitions. The Federation of International Swimming must change the rule," she says with a tinge of disappointment at being unable to showcase her skills.
The schoolgirl says her coach spotted her talent at an early age. "When I was five, my father used to take me to the swimming pool in Andheri for fun. Swimming coach Satish identified my talent and started grooming me," Yadav said. Two years later, she created a record by swimming12km in 5 hours in the Sea Swimming competition, from Mora jetty, Raigad, to the Gateway of India. Three months later, Yadav completed 35km Sea Swimming from Dharamtar to the Gateway of India in 10 hours and 10 minutes. She is not just a swimming champion. Yadav has won several state and national level cycling and running competitions as well.
The daughter of a printing press owner, Yadav was runner-up in the national triathlon (1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run one after the other). Her father Gopal Yadav takes pride in his daughter's achievements and runs from pillar to post whenever she participates in an international contest. "My daughter is extremely talented and so, we do everything to support her and help her chase her dreams," he said.
Though her exams are approaching, Yadav has set her sights on the DNA half marathon. "I want to win it," she told DNA after cycling 110km from Vashi to Khopoli on Saturday. She has set a strict regime — studying for her exams and practising early morning and evening. Yadav knows what she wants and she is willing to work hard to achieve her goals.
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