Swimming against the tide

Fighting all odds and proving his determination, the 68-year-old swimmer with national record stands as the true example of a fighter.
We have seen many who swim and gain accolades, but rare are those who pursue it forever as their passion for life. B R Gopal Rao is one such person who has put in his 56 years into this wonderful sport and still continues to do so. Fighting all the odds, the champion's love for the game is more than words can express.

Early age passion
Started at the age of 12, the passion for swimming came to Gopal Rao accidentally. His first acquaintance with the water sports was while he was strolling near Dhobi Ghat. Seeing a few of them play water polo made him more interested in it and thus began his journey with water. With fewer opportunities available then, it was not a cakewalk for him. "Unlike these days, swimming was never a recognised game and the water sports associated with it like water polo was even less known.  I used to lie to my parents in order to get a chance to learn the game. We didn't have any proper pools or training centers; it was just small tanks and rivers. But I just loved this sport and thus pursued it further," said Rao, who is also the goal keeper for the state water polo team for 19 years.
It was the corporation day programme organised by the Rotary in 1960s which changed the entire focus for him. Securing his first medal while attaining the second prize in the competitions made him think of swimming as his strength that needs to achieve more heights. Gopal Rao went ahead, participating in competitions in both school and college level and accolades came to him pouring. Not just restricting to one sport, he was a champion also in basketball, softball, Kho kho, Kabbadi and cricket.
Though he has practised them all, swimming always remains dear to his heart. "It is really a wonderful sport and I actually play all other games in order to be fit for pursuing this. The timing and systematic life, which this sport gives cannot be replaced by anything else," he added.

Impressive life record
His passion for swimming is well evident from the national record he holds since 8 years. With a record of covering 50-metre breast stroke in 42.91s, 100-metre breast stroke in 1.37.77s and 50-metre butterfly stroke in 41.38s; he still stands proud for it. Having secured 416 medals till now, with 224 gold, 119 silver and 73 bronze; he was also declared at the 11th place in the world ranking of the breast stroke events in 2008. He also represented at national level competitions at Indo-Sri Lanka water polo in 1969, World Masters' Championship-Canada in 2005, FINA World Masters' Championship-USA in 2006 and 12th FINA World Masters' Championship-Australia in 2008.

Defying his age for sports
Not just in playing, he had also spent his time in training the youngsters for free. Having attained training from England and Australia in the art of teaching swimming, he is currently the Chairman for Karnataka Swimming Association, Master Sub Committee. He proved his strong determination yet again by attaining second prize in the state level body building competition held for people above age of 30 years in 2009.
Currently having qualified for the prestigious 14th World Masters' Swimming Championship to be held at Italy in June 2012, he is still determined to prove his worth yet again. "Age is no barrier to anything. I wanted to prove the same to the youngsters and hence participated in the body-building competitions. If you have determination, then anything is possible. I am looking forward to participating in the game. Swimming would be pursued till my last breath," said Rao, who is also an active social worker.

It is really a wonderful sport and I actually play all other games in order to be fit for pursuing this. The timing and systematic life, which this game gives, cannot be replaced by anything else.
Gopal Rao

--SUCHITHRA PILLAI