Mother-daughter duo, champion of the pool

Little did Archana Shiva Kumar know that something good was to come when she joined swimming classes in 2007. The same was the case with her then five-year-old daughter Tejasvi, who followed suit only to be with her mother in the pool. Ever since Tejasvi embarked on her exciting journey in swimming she has conquered every swimming pool that she got in to. From learning to swim as a hobby to winning several championships at various district, state and national level tournaments, this mother daughter-duo have come a long way.

While Tejasvi, a seventh standard student of Tagore’s Home (NEIS) School, brought home around 40 medals in the children’s category, Archana won 50 medals. Daughter and mother were trained by coach Sudhakar and head coach G Umesh respectively at BV Gurumurthy Memorial GHMC Swimming Pool.

“Seeing our potential we were sent to various championships. Initially, I was reluctant to go but my coach was confident of the victory. He persuaded me to participate and I returned with a medal,” recalls Archana.

She is now a swimming coach herself, who teaches swimming to children and women. Ask her who are easy to handle -- adults or kids? Pat comes the reply, “The kids are easier, any day.”

On the other hand her little mermaid’s talent is not confined to swimming alone. “My daughter has completed Abacus level 3. She won various competitions like reciting slokas in Tamil. In academics, she maintains her position in the top three,” gushes an obviously elated Archana.

“Tejasvi is a very strong girl. In spite of undergoing an appendix surgery in December 2013, she returned to the pool soon after. She was adamant on participating in a competition that was to be held in February last year. So she participated under medical supervision and ended up with a bronze,” she says.

The little girl is eyeing something big, “My ambition is to become an international swimmer and win the Olympics,” says a shy Tejasvi.

By Syeda Zahara Jabeen