With five new records registered on his name in U-17swimming in Goa, Damodar Pradip Karekar waits to make more... or someone tobreak his as he just completed 17 years on 21 September. Currently Damodar hasto his credit “ 100 mt breast strokes “ 1.23.01 sec, 200 mt breast strokes “2.59.62 sec, 50 mt butterfly strokes “ 0.29.57 sec, 100 mt back strokes “1.14.00 sec and 200 mt IM “ 2.47.99 sec, all in U-17 category.
“I just completed 17 and plan to make new records this yeartoo. Last year I broke two of my own records,” states Damodar. “I close my eyesand taking a deep breath before kissing the water. Just a few seconds tomyself, I think of my friends who want me to win. I pray to God. My mother’swords keep echoing in my ears that ‘You can do it.’ As the warm water embracesmy body I feel at home and it’s just a matter of seconds that medalsautomatically fly my way,” Damodar puts it in simple terms what swimming andwinning means to him.
His tryst with the water began when he was just seven. Hehad just learnt swimming and within three months his first coach Inas Raposasked him to swim Mandovi. His current coach is Keshav Naik. It was Damodar’smother Shilpa who encouraged hin participate in various competitions since hewas a year old kid. Today he has to his credit more than 250 prizes won invarious fancy dress, dance and drama competitions.
Damodar is at his best at sports, especially swimming andthe medals he won at school, interschool, state and national swimmingcompetitions are countless. He won the school all-rounder student during std Ito IV in primary school with 98 per cent marks and 24 prizes in variouscultural and sports activities. Through his school Mahila & Nutan EnglishHigh School and RMS Higher Secondary he has maintained his record of winningprizes in sports. Sports are his first love.
On a parting note Damodar exclaims, “The sports put forthchallenges and I like to accept them. For me, winning is less important, thanmy will to try.”
