PANAJI
Goa'sVihaan Shailesh Pednekar won 2 bronze medals in 100 meters backstrokeand 200 meters backstroke category at the 69th National School Gamesheld in New Delhi recently.
Aclass VIII student of St John of the Cross High School, Sanquelim,Vihaan started his swimming career like any other child throughsummer vacation camp which were held in Porvorim in the year 2018 atthe age of six under the guidance of Jose Thomas, a reputed swimmingcoach who has trained many national and international level swimmersfrom Goa.
“Duringhis two months course, Jose Sir suggested Vihaan to continue withadvanced training in the academy. Vihaan then had a rigorous trainingfor almost one and half year at the academy wherein he learnt basicstrokes, dives and mastered the back stroke,” Vihaan’s motherPrachi Pednekar informed The Goan.
However,during pandemic the pools were closed for almost two years. ButVihaan used to exercise every day and keep his fitness at par.
In2021, when the pools reopened, Vihaan again joined Jose Thomasacademy.
“WithJose Sir suggestion, Vihaan then opted for RCC (Regular CoachingClasses) at the Peddem Swimming pool, Mapusa since Panjim pool wasclosed for renovation,” Prachi said.
“InPeddem, Vihaan’s daily regime was three hours of practice under theguidance from Dayanand Patil Sir which helped him to be eligible forState level competitions in Goa held in September 2020-2021.”
Vihaanwon two gold and two silver during that competition in group Ecategory (the youngest group in the competition which was under-8years). It was Vihaan’s first success at the state level.
Later,Vihaan persuaded his training under Jerry D'Mello, a fine swimmingcoach who has won many medals for the state at the national level.
UnderD’Mello’s guidance, Vihaan won his first gold at the nationallevel at the Underwater Swimming Championship held in Jodhpur,Rajasthan in April 2022. It was a commendable effort from Vihaan whohad won gold in 100 meters Monofins event which had 64 participantsin his age category (age 9, 10 & 11) from 27 other states.
InAugust 2022, Vihaan shifted his base to Bengaluru for better trainingat the Basavangudi Aquatic Center under coach Surajit Ganguly.
“Hispractice session in Bengaluru starts in the morning with drylandexercise from 5:00 AM “ 6:00 AM followed by swimming from 6:00 AM “9:00 AM. Later his physio (strengthening and endurance) sessionstarts at 11:00 AM “ 12:30 PM on alternate days. Later, Vihaan’sevening session starts in gym from 4:30 PM “ 5:30 PM followed byswimming from 6:00 PM “ 9:00 PM,” Vihaan’s mother PrachiPednekar informed who has also shifted her base to Bengaluru alongwith Vihaan.
Apartfrom swimming, Vihaan is very bright student when it comes toacademics and has always secured good grades in all his schoolsubjects.
“Everyday in between 10:00 AM “ 12:00 PM, Vihaan attends online classeswhich is conducted by private teacher. Here all the notes which aregiven by the teachers of St. John of the Cross High School is readand discussed. The teachers, management and Principal of the school,Mr. Sunil Sir have taken an extra effort to ensure that Vihaan'sschooling is well taken care. For this all the teachers have cometogether and formed a WhatsApp group with Vihaan. All the notes andday-to-day activities / projects / assignments / activities areposted in the group. Thus Vihaan feels connected with his school. Heis always invited by the school for all the activities which takesplace in the school. The management and staff of the school havealways ensured that Vihaan is present physically to participate inall the activities such as Sports Day and others events which takesplace in the school, “ Prachi Pednekar said.
AmongVihaan’s major achievements include the 2 silver and 2 bronzemedals he won during the Asian School Aquatic Championship inBangkok, Thailand during 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons wherein studentsfrom 29 Asian countries had participated.
During2022-23 season, Vihaan won 1 silver and 1 bronze at the 39thSub-Junior National Aquatic Championship held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.This national medal had come after a gap of 7 years for Goa in theboys category.
Vihaanbelieves that with dedication, determination and hard work and withthe guidance of his coach and support of his parents and teachers, hecan achieve much more in his swimming career.
AmongVihaan’s future goals is to win more national and internationalmedals and make the state and country proud which he believes ispossible to achieve.
