Young senior citizen makes ripples in swimming

The enthusiasm and motivation given by her grandchildren and with the support of her husband AV Sastri, AV Subbalakshmi, a retired Head of the Department of Botany at Machilipatnam’s Women's College took the challenge of swimming about five years back. Since then there is no turning back for the young senior citizen of 73 years age who is a regular member of Andhra Pradesh masters team. She has participated in several veterans’ swimming competitions both in India and abroad winning about 44 medals in various swimming competitions.

Speaking to the Womenia, Subbalakshmi, who is now participating in the national athletic meet being organised at Jaipur, Rajastan, said that age is just a number when it comes to succeed in the dreams. She said that it all started when her grandchildren visited India from the USA a few years back and I took them for swimming, and they asked me to learn swimming to stay fit and healthy. With the inspiration of her grandchildren she started swimming and participated in various competitions and events winning many medals to her kitty. 

She said, ‘Though I am down with hypertension, diabetes, thyroid and underwent knee replacement surgery nothing could stop her in mastering in swimming and track and field sport, said Lakshmi and added that till date she won 28 medals in swimming, 16 medals in athletics which include 26 gold medals. She said that she represented India in events held at Malaysia, Singapore and won eight medals in the senior citizen category (70+).

She said that every day she practices swimming and running for an hour andtook part in the track and field events regularly and has won medals and recognition. She said that even after her knee surgery in 2016, she has been to the Malaysia International and I bagged two gold and two silver in Athletics and I've been to Swimming Federation of India-13th National Masters Aquatic Championships and bagged 2 gold and 1 bronze medals, she added.

She said that the secret of her to stay fit was swimming and athletics with the support of coach Malyadri Raja, Ramesh, and Radhika and said she participated in Krishna river swimming competition organised by Aqua Devils Welfare Association.

She was inquisitive and wise beyond her years. She maintained a positive attitude. And her goals were clear. She wanted to swim and run again. After completing treatment, AV Subbalakshmi decided to swim at National level competitions to build up her strength and help get ready to run again. But swimming would prove to be much more than a sport for Subbalakshmi. 

It would become a source of nourishment and comfort even during her most difficult days. At swim meets, she surprised other competitors and families in the stands and made her way into the water. She surprised them again when she swam in the top tier of swimmers. She said that swimming is the best exercise for senior citizens to stay fit and healthy.