Cuttack Boy Makes A Splash For Maharashtra, Eyes Bhubaneswar Nationals Next

Mumbai: He is a schoolboy, but already making a big splash in swimming pools.

Meet Rishabh Das, a 15-year-old swimmer from Mahantipada in Odisha’s Cuttack, who lives in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.

Representing Maharashtra in the Khelo India Youth Games in Haryana, Rishabh won two medals – a bronze in 200m backstroke clocking 2 minutes and 12.01 seconds and then silver as part of the Maharashtra 4 x 100m freestyle relay event.

And this after being forced to withdraw from his pet100m backstroke event due to acute gastritis.

That he bounced back after receiving emergency treatment to bag two medals shows his hunger and determination.

“The medals at KIYG have greatly motivated me… I have resumed vigorous training for upcoming events,” Rishabh said.

He will be setting sights on the National Junior championship, to be held at his home state — in Bhubaneswar — at the end of July.

A Class IX student of Father Agnel, Rishabh trains at the school’s Sports Complex in Vashi under Gokul Kamath and Rutuja Udeshi, both Chhatrapati awardees in swimming.

Rutuja, a national champion who represented India in international meets, helps Rishabh reach his optimum level with strength and conditioning training.