India’s para-swimming sensation Sharath Gayakwad clinched three medals — a silver and two bronze — at the recently-concluded Internationale Deutsche Meisterschaften (IDM) Swimming Championships in Berlin, Germany.
The 19-year-old, who won a bronze medal at the Para Asian Games 2010 in the 100m Breaststroke (S8 category), bagged a silver in the 200m Individual Medley with a timing of 2:40.16, besides two bronze medals in the 50m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly.
“He has been working tirelessly round the clock and is in peak physical condition. To achieve what he has on one such an international platform is testament to his discipline and dedication”, said John Christopher, Sharath’s coach for the past five years.
Sharath, who has become the only Indian para-swimmer so far to have qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, himself was pleased with his results at the championship, which is considered one of the highlights of the para-swimming calendar.
“It’s a great feeling to win a medal for your country, and I was particularly happy that I improved on my timings. It’s a long season ahead and I hope to continue doing well for India,” said Sharath, who has already clocked a time under the Minimum Qualification Standard for the 2012 London Paralympic Games.