Swimming sensation Maana Patel, signed by OGQ earlier this year, is creating waves in national competitions; has set her eyes on upcoming Youth Commonwealth Games
As a child, Maana Patel was an extremely thin girl with a poor appetite. In a bid to gain weight, her mother enrolled her into swimming hoping that she would put on some extra kilos.
Swimming not just helped improve her appetite but also did wonders by making her one of the leading swimmers in the country.
Having broken her own three national records in Pune last week, the 15-year-old is creating waves with her performances in the sport.
She became the first swimmer to be roped in by Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ). In Mumbai on Monday for a body check-up, the Ahmedabad resident was beaming while showing off her medals and trophies.
"I was just seven when my mom took me to a nearby pool. I was thin then. I'm still a poor eater. But my appetite to win is huge," the lanky teenager said.
Patel started winning at the club and senior levels by the time she turned eight. At 13, Patel made a mark after breaking three national records at the 40th Junior National Aquatics Championship in Hyderabad.
"She was a gifted child but we never thought people would talk about her representing India at the Olympics. She's young but mature enough to know that the only competition that she has is herself. Ever since she's gone pro, her swimming has become a priority for me and my husband. We had our last vacation in 2010," said her mother Aanal, who travels with her for every meet.
Elaborating on how crazy her daughter is about swimming, Aanal said: "Swim Team on Channel V is her favourite serial. It doesn't even have one bit of swimming but she watches it just because it has the word swim in it."
With swimming taking most of her time, Patel, an avid Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams fan, doesn't get to do what teenagers her age usually do. "My day starts at 5am. During the course of the week, I'm supposed to spend 12 sessions in the pool and three in the gym. Post school, I return to the pool for another swim. The nights are meant for tuitions." revealed Patel, who studies commerce in the Class 11 at Udgam School for Children.
Patel will next be seen at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa in September and the Asian Age Group Championships in Bangkok in October. "These are two important tournaments lined up and I hope to carry on the good form there. Backstroke is my strength but I am considering the individual medley as well. I need to work on my right shoulder and left knee as well," she said.
Know Maana
Began swimming at 7
At 13, Maana clocked 2:23.41s in the 200m backstroke at 40th Junior National Aquatics Championship
Broke Shikha Tandon's national record of 2:26.41s at the Asian Age Group Championship in Tokyo in August 2009
Won 'Overall Best Swimmer' title five times at National Championships including twice at the Senior Nationals
Became the first Indian swimmer to win all three backstroke events with record time
Became first swimmer to be signed by Olympic Gold Quest
Currently studying Class 11 in Commerce at Udgam School of Children, Ahmedabad
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}