Basketball player Ryan Agarwal wishes to represent India in the American landscape
Compiled by: Team GI Youth
(February 25, 2023) The news was as exciting as it was historic. One of the most prominent basketball teams in the USA, Dallas Mavericks, had picked Satnam Singh to be their team member, making him the first Indian-born player to be selected in an NBA draft in 2015. Little did the world know that Satnam’s entry in the NBA would open doors for an aspiring Indian American basketball player, Ryan Agarwal, who at the time was just another sixth grader at a Dallas middle school.
Now a Stanford freshman, Ryan is one of the only Indian-American players on the Division I level and wishes to represent India in the American basketball landscape. “Even as I play today, I just have to keep in mind the fact that I help represent such a big community, and only a few people have the ability to do what I’m trying to do,” the basketball player said in a recent interview, adding, “It’s amazing to see how many people support me and have my back.” The Stanford player, who is also deemed as the rising star of US basketball, is fully aware that his game could push him to be greater on the court, but it doesn’t pressure him. “Basketball is just kind of fun for me. I don’t really feel like it’s a burden on me,” the Global Indian shared.
A star in the making
Ryan’s parents had emigrated from India, and he was born in a Dallas suburb. While the young kid never saw someone playing basketball or considered it as a career path, it was the selection of Satnam in the Dallas Mavericks that encouraged him to start playing. In 2017, Ryan and his cousin had a chance to watch Satnam in an NBA G League game, and it was there that Ryan realised he wanted to play just like him. And once he had made up his mind, there was no looking back. The youngster started playing at his school and was soon picked up to be a part of the local team. Standing at 6’7 and a slender 175 pounds, the Indian American player is a certified bucket.
Ryan with his family
While he loved playing the sport and spending several hours mastering the skill, Ryan credits his parents for supporting him throughout the journey. Even though they were initially unsure about the rigorous world of recruiting and elite sports, watching their son play gave them immense confidence. Eventually, Ryan shared, that several families started reaching out to them to ask for advice, partly on how to encourage their children in sports and get them noticed by college coaches. “I’m blessed with the parents I have, because they put me in every sport possible to just try to see what I love, which honestly, not a lot of Indian parents do,” Ryan said, adding, “I think that’s the biggest thing for me. If it wasn’t for the support from my parents, who knows where I would be.”
More mountains to climb
The 18-year-old, who is a part of the Standford team now, understands how rare it is to see Indian basketball players playing at the Division I level and also realises his responsibility to encourage other South Asian kids, who aspire to be basketball players. “We didn’t really have a lot of players that were Indian-American playing Division I basketball that we could all look up to,” Ryan told in an interview, adding, “In AAU travel ball, I didn’t see any Indians at all. Even in Texas, playing travel ball against other teams, I didn’t see a lot. It was just kind of on my own team if anything.”
However, the teen player didn’t shy away from a certain amount of pressure that comes with people judging an entire culture based on his play. In fact, a few months back, Ryan also shared a video highlighting the efforts of his coaches and relatives who helped him during his journey, saying that he wants “to set an example for a whole heritage and prove that we can do it, too.”
So far this season, Agarwal has come off the bench for Stanford in nearly two-thirds of its games, averaging roughly eight minutes when he plays. Rivals.com once ranked Agarwal as a top-20 shooting guard, but Stanford Coach Jerod Haase believes that Ryan is a more complete player because of his size at 6-foot-6 and his passing ability. “I want to continue getting better and better and ready for the next level. I’ll be in the gym probably more than ever with my trainers and by myself,” the player shared.
(October 25, 2024) At just 17 years old, Mumbai-based Adeetya Jain, a senior at Rahul International School, is not your typical high school student. Trained under entrepreneur Namita Thapar, of Shark Tank fame, at her Thapar’s Entrepreneurship Academy, he is building a platform poised to change how children learn about money. As the founder of Ecobyte Kids, a pioneering initiative aimed at making financial literacy accessible to children, Adeetya is on a mission to empower the next generation with the knowledge they need to navigate the world of finance. The platform's journey began during the pandemic and has since evolved. With the vision of blending education and technology, Adeetya Jain is now making use of AI to transform Ecobyte Kids into a personalized financial literacy hub. “Our goal is not just to make finance and economics interesting, but also to make them accessible for children across India,” Adeetya shares with Global Indian. A vision born in the pandemic The idea for Ecobyte Kids came to life toward the end of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. While the world was struggling to adjust to the new normal, Adeetya saw an opportunity to create something impactful. "We started building a team with
img class="aligncenter wp-image-40001 size-full" src="https://www.globalindian.com/youth/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/AJ.webp" alt="Indian youth | Adeetya Jain | Global Indian " width="438" height="577" />
A vision born in the pandemic
The idea for Ecobyte Kids came to life toward the end of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2021. While the world was struggling to adjust to the new normal, Adeetya saw an opportunity to create something impactful. "We started building a team with the goal of creating a Market Viable Product (MVP) and were able to do it in eight months right after," says the youngster who now leads a team of 30 young volunteers who are below 18.
Initially, Ecobyte Kids was conceived as a fun, digital newsletter aimed at teaching financial literacy to kids between the ages of 9 and 16. “To make financial news and information interesting for children, we created a sample four-page newsletter that was graphic and funky but at the same time enriched with simplified economics and finance concepts,” Adeetya shares. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and this small project quickly grew into a full-fledged venture. “Soon we positioned ourselves as a digital media startup for finance and economics with a niche target audience,” tells the young entrepreneur.
From newsletter to tech-backed learning solution
Ecobyte Kids is steadily evolving. Today, the platform is transitioning into an AI and Machine Learning-powered financial literacy hub. “Our focus on content creation remains intact,” Adeetya says, “But we have started exploring and executing a lot of tech-based initiatives to deliver our content.”
He and his team are working on personalized learning modules that adapt to different age groups, ensuring that younger kids receive simpler explanations while older children are introduced to more complex financial concepts. “To put it simply, the level of jargon and intensity of concepts will vary even in the 9-16-year-old age group,” Adeetya explains.
One of the upcoming features of Ecobyte Kids includes an AI-powered chatbot and a natural language processor, which will help users easily access simplified financial knowledge. “Our digital solutions, including the chatbot, will only provide verifiable, easy-to-understand and accurate content,” Adeetya shares.
In addition, his venture is working on delivering content in multiple Indian languages, ensuring it can reach children from different linguistic backgrounds.
Entrepreneurship in the DNA
“For me, entrepreneurship is the most viable extracurricular activity. It is something I derive a lot of joy from - almost an escape from the rigorous academia in high school,” says Adeetya, for whom entrepreneurship also runs in the family. Both of his parents are successful entrepreneurs, and their example inspired him from an early age. "My parents are originally from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, who came to Mumbai to study and then established their entrepreneurial ventures,” says the youngster, whose mother runs an interior designing firm, while his father has his own pharmaceutical company.”
Their entrepreneurial drive has been a constant source of inspiration for Adeetya, encouraging him to take risks and follow his own path. “They have truly guided me along the way, and I certainly derive inspiration from them to take risks and to continuously innovate.”
Shark Tank fame Namita Thapar – a mentor
It wasn’t just his family who inspired him. Adeetya credits entrepreneur Namita Thapar for playing a key role in his development as a business enthusiast. “Namita Mam has been a vital part of my entrepreneurial journey under whose tutelage I launched my first startup, RootsUp,” Adeetya says. "She has given valuable inputs which have greatly influenced the products and services Ecobyte Kids provides today.”
Adeetya first met Namita during the online interview session of the Thapar’s Entrepreneurship Academy's (TEA) incubator program. “After getting accepted in the program, we bonded over my startup idea and pitch-deck development over the length of the program which was in an online mode due to the pandemic.” She later added him to the Thapar Entrepreneur Academy’s Star Alumni Group which increased their interactions. The youngster calls her his ‘go-to mentor’.
As part of the TEA Incubator Program, where he won the Best Pitch Award, Adeetya Jain received prize money to run the startup. Though RootsUp didn’t pan out due to resource and time constraints, the experience gave Adeetya valuable insight into the world of startups and set the stage for Ecobyte Kids. “However, I feel that the idea of RootsUp is still relevant, and I would love to pick it up again in the future,” he says.
Balancing academics and other initiatives
For the high school student, balancing schoolwork with running a startup is no easy task, but Adeetya has found ways to manage both. “Up to 10th grade, managing studies and entrepreneurial ventures is not much of a challenge if you remain consistent,” the 12th grade student says. But with the added pressure of competitive exams and university applications, Adeetya has had to perfect the art of time management.
“Dabbling between academics and activities of interest not only requires desperation but also the ability to pull all-nighters,” he admits. His dedication to both his studies and his venture has paid off, due to the support he has received from teachers and family. “I have received a tremendous amount of support from my family members and all my teachers in school and coaching institute,” he says, also expressing gratitude to Prem Ranjan, a professor at his coaching institute.
A passion for writing, arts, and social work
In addition to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Adeetya Jain is a talented writer and an avid lover of the arts. He is a three-time winner of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition and is currently working on publishing his anthology of poems. “I certainly had a knack for writing. I always appreciated unabridged literature and have been an avid reader - a trait my mother instilled in me,” he says.
Adeetya’s love for writing extends to his work at Ecobyte Kids, where he contributes to the content creation efforts. He also enjoys drama, debate, collecting stamps and coins and participating in occasional plays in Mumbai. “Apart from this I love debate and MUNs and have been part of the Indian National Camp for debate.”
Adeetya is also part of SpecsAid, a student-run vision-correction initiative that has collected, refurbished, and distributed over 5,000 spectacles for those in need. This initiative has been featured in print and radio.
What’s next for Ecobyte Kids?
Looking ahead, Adeetya Jain and his team have ambitious plans for Ecobyte Kids. “We are hoping to launch our print media vertical soon,” he shares, informing that the team is trying to bring on board a group of undergraduate students with backgrounds in economics and finance, currently attending leading universities, to provide advice on relevant content development.”
For him Ecobyte Kids is more than just a venture - it’s a movement to educate and empower the next generation to become financially literate. Talking about his career goals he says, “I certainly wish to continue as an entrepreneur. I have always been attached to tech and finance and would most probably continue developing and executing ideas in that field.”
How is financial literacy important for youngsters?
Better Money Management: Learn to budget, save, and spend wisely.
Smart Decision-Making: Make informed financial choices.
Understand Current Affairs: Stay updated on financial news and trends.
Student Loan Awareness: Understand how loans work, including interest rates and repayment options.
Understand Debt: Manage credit cards responsibly.
Early Investing: Start building wealth through savings and investments.
Financial Independence: Gain the skills to manage personal finances independently.
(January 12, 2024) Chocolates with exotic fruits, nuts or liquor have caught the fancy of chocolate lovers for decades now. But have you ever had chocolate with falsa (sherbet berry) or sitaphal (custard apple) or kulfi? Homegrown brand, Saraam, the brainchild of a 19-year-old Udaipur resident Digvijay Singh, is bringing indigenous berries and fruits into the conventional world of chocolate making. Started in 2021, Saraam - which produces chocolates from bean to bar - has till now sold two tonnes of chocolate to thousands of people across India. It was during the pandemic when the world was locked indoors and trying new things, Digvijay too was keen to channelise his energy into something productive. After trying his hand at a lot of things, the then 16-year-old decided to give chocolate-making at home a try. That one step led him to start Saraam, which got its first order in 2021. [caption id="attachment_35192" align="aligncenter" width="484"] Digvijay Singh is the founder of Saraam[/caption] ‘Out of the box’ mindset Born and raised in a middle-class family in Udaipur, Digvijay wasn't academically inclined, instead chose to explore drama, games, and the innovative side of things. "I would always be looking for innovative ideas and things
Born and raised in a middle-class family in Udaipur, Digvijay wasn't academically inclined, instead chose to explore drama, games, and the innovative side of things. "I would always be looking for innovative ideas and things to do that were ‘out of the box’. In school my teachers always supported this innovative side of my brain," he said in an interview. His innovative side got a push during the pandemic when he explored varied things, and being a chocolate lover himself, he decided to try his hand at chocolate making. "I shared this idea with my cousin Mahaveer Singh and he was enthusiastic to join me. However, back then I did not have a plan of action. I didn’t even know how to make chocolates," he added.
With YouTube's help, he learnt the art of chocolate making and started distributing the end result among his friends and family for tasting. While it began as a hobby after getting positive feedback, he decided to turn it into a business. "I started making chocolates in my bedroom, which turned into my studio; day in and day out, I lived and slept in the aroma of chocolates. Even before I got into the business of white labelling, I was teaching myself about cacao beans, roasting, grinding, etc. I was experimenting, doing small batches." While brainstorming about possible customers, he realised that they received a box of chocolates last year when his dad brought a brand-new car from a showroom. Upon inquiry, he found that the showroom sold 60 cars in a day, and it gave him the idea to contact hotel owners and car showroom owners to sell his chocolates. In 2021, he got his first order of 1000 chocolates and launched his brand Saraam.
Creating desi chocolates
Around the same time, he came across an article that talked about a wide variety of indigenous fruits becoming extinct. "There were mentions of fruits that I had never even heard about and I was very shocked. For us fruits mostly mean the mainstream apples, mangoes, bananas, and grapes," he said, adding that this gave him the idea of putting these fruits in chocolates.
After doing some research on indigenous fruits like kokam, ice apple et al, he tried them to see which worked best with chocolate. "In the culinary world, we don’t go beyond exotic berries, cherries, and oranges. I have never seen a brand that puts anything else beyond the known few fruits. I wondered if there is a market for such chocolates and decided to take a leap of faith," he said. Keen to put these fruits on the global map, he put them in his chocolate. Starting with ber (jujube), and he later experimented with saffron and cardamom, bael, amala, jamun, kokam, and rose apple. "The ber chocolate and the white chocolate with saffron seem to be a great hit among people and are one of our best sellers, revealed Digvijay.
A homegrown brand Saraam sources its cacao from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and fruits from different parts of the country. In just two years, he has turned it into ₹1 crore business, giving indigenous fruits a fresh lease of life.
(August 1, 2023) Imagine being one of the best amateur golfers in the United States of America, dreaming to become a professional player and winning several tournaments for the country in the coming years. However, when the opportunity came, you couldn't perform up to your potential. 21-year-old Akshay Bhatia was quite heartbroken when he couldn't cut in any of the six PGA Tour starts in September 2019. "I struggled mentally, I missed every cut," the golfer recalled, "I had a lot of people expecting me to play well and it didn’t happen.” But while several others would have lost hope, Akshay dug in further and worked very hard on honing his skill further. The golfer, who acknowledged that he faced challenges upon turning pro, took the pandemic as an opportunity to pause, re-evaluate, and gain valuable insights. “I got to sit back, talk to my coach, realise where I’m at in my life. After that, you know, I’ve just climbed the mountain slowly and slowly and slowly," he shared. And he might have just made a significant stride by winning his maiden PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship in California, defeating Patrick Rodgers. The win will earn the Indian
owly and slowly and slowly," he shared. And he might have just made a significant stride by winning his maiden PGA Tour title at the Barracuda Championship in California, defeating Patrick Rodgers. The win will earn the Indian American golfer earned him full Tour status and a spot in the FedEx Cup playoffs.
Inspired to greatness
Born in Northridge, California to an Indian couple, Akshay's childhood was not unlike other immigrant kids in the USA. However, his life was shaped due to his sister's passion for the sport. As a young child, the golfer witnessed his elder sister, Rhea Bhatia, swinging a golf club for the first time. In the following years, Rhea's dedication to the sport paid off, as she achieved the title of 2015 4A Regional Champion during her high school days. Notably, she continued her golfing journey as a valued member of the women's team at Queen's University of Charlotte.
Soon the young golfer started playing the sport and found it quite immersing. Having a remarkable junior career, the Global Indian achieved the distinction of being the first high-schooler ever to participate in the U.S. Walker Cup team. Coached by George Gankas since he was 13, Bhatia kept on piling up amateur victories till he began getting noticed. In 2017, the golfer caught the nation's attention when he contributed to the victorious team in the 2017 Junior Presidents Cup. Remarkably, at the age of 15, Bhatia made his mark at the Boys Junior PGA Championship by setting multiple records. According to the JuniorPGA website, the golfer, "carded an all-time course and championship record 61, at the 42nd Boys Junior PGA Championship at the Country Club of St. Albans in Missouri."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orWxrz67Z44
In 2018, Akshay secured the runner-up position at the U.S. Junior Amateur tournament. The golfer showcased his talent at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, where he earned two silver medals - one in the boy's event and another in the mixed team event alongside Lucy Li. Moreover, his pivotal performance contributed to the triumph of the US team in the Junior Ryder Cup held in the same year.
Looking past his failures
After failing in the September 2019 golfing season, he kept working on his game. And just four months before turning 20, Akshay achieved a historical feat. The golfer lifted his maiden Korn Ferry Tour (KFT) title at the $750,000 Bahamas Great Exuma Classic. He became only the third Indian-origin golfer to do so after Daniel Chopra and Arjun Atwal. At the age of 19 years, 11 months, and 19 days, the golfer achieved the distinction of being the third-youngest professional golfer to secure a victory on the development circuit, joining the ranks of notable players such as Jason Day and Sungjae Im.
[caption id="attachment_32300" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Akshay after winning The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic[/caption]
And now, the golfer is now one step closer to his dream of being on the PGA Tour. After winning his first PGA Tour title, Akshay got emotional while interacting with the media. "I can’t even talk," he said, adding, "I’m just excited. I love playing golf, I love playing on the PGA Tour, and it’s just a dream come true to have it.” Recognising the challenges he faced along the journey, the golfer acknowledged that it had been "a really tough road." However, he said that he always knew that he was “going to get here, it was just a matter of time. For it to happen this year with Special Temporary Membership and now to get to play all these events and to get it done today was, I can’t even describe it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVtp2d8UlXI
The young golfer is looking forward to playing several international tournaments in the upcoming season and winning many as well. "Good golf takes care of itself and if I play good golf, the rankings will go up. I don’t look at it too much. My goal is to get into the US Open," he shared.
(August 3, 2023) In the quiet village of Chalagere in Mundgod Taluk, in Karnataka, a young girl would run around, rather actually sprint, to do her chores, field activities, shopping, and school. And that is where this remarkable tale of courage and determination unfolds, as today that girl - Nayana Kokare - is a national level runner, who has represented India in the Asian U-20 Championships, in South Korea in June 2023 and won a 4x100m relay bronze and secured a fourth position in Asia in 200m. The girl, who would run barefoot in her village, was discovered by a non-profit organization Bridges Of Sports (BOS) during an event. Once this exceptional runner was identified, she received the essential resources and opportunities to participate and excel at the highest echelons of competition. Currently considered to be India's fastest runner, Nayana sits with Global Indian to talk about her journey and aspirations. A born fighter Born in 2004 to a farming family, the runner was the youngest kid with two older brothers and two sisters. Her father is a farmer and her mother goes to work in the fields. Nayana's early life was a constant hustle. Traveling several kilometres to attend
dian.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Indian to talk about her journey and aspirations.
A born fighter
Born in 2004 to a farming family, the runner was the youngest kid with two older brothers and two sisters. Her father is a farmer and her mother goes to work in the fields. Nayana's early life was a constant hustle. Traveling several kilometres to attend school and participating fervently in school sports, her passion for running bloomed at a young age. “I did my primary schooling in my village itself and as our village does not have a high school, we had to travel 12 km to go to school. I used to participate in the school sports day when I was in 6th and 7th grade, and I absolutely loved running,” says the runner.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFCBv0rM8Hc
Her professional journey really began when she was 16 and there were selection trials in Mundgod organised by an NGO, Bridges of Sports. “I got the opportunity to participate and fortunately, I was selected. The coaches there provided me with a deeper understanding of sports and competition, which ignited a profound love for athletics within me.”
However, it was not all a bed of roses. Once the runner was selected into the program, there were immediate obstacles as her parents were not comfortable with their daughter training in shorts and track attire in the community ground. They were not sure how sports can help her or their family live a better life. “As an organisation, it took us almost the whole of 2019 to work with her and her family to provide them a roadmap of how her life could benefit from sports and her success in athletics. Their family’s average annual income was around 400-550 USD largely dependent on good monsoons. This was one of the main reasons for children from her village and community dropping out of education and supporting their families to earn additional income. We are working with a few international partners to enable and support her training for the Asian Games 2026,” says Nitish Chiniwar, Founder and CEO, of Bridges of Sports Foundation.
The results are now paying off. She is now recognised as the fastest runner in India, something she is rightfully happy and proud of. “I will do my best, work harder to become faster. Also, I will motivate more athletes to come to sports and train,” the runner plans. Her training involves different sessions for speed, endurance, gym, and cycling, along with sprinting lessons from her coaches as well as psychology sessions. Her diet is more specific to her sport which includes eggs, chicken, milk, and muesli, quantity wise of food. “I miss a lot of foods like Maggi, chicken rolls, and ice cream. Sometimes I miss them more, but once I win a medal it is all worth it,” she smiles.
From fields to podiums
During the pandemic, she faced significant difficulties in maintaining her training regimen. With restrictions in place and limited access to sports facilities, she had to find alternative solutions. “Our hostel rooms, the hostel veranda, and even the gym room became our training spaces. Despite the limitations, we were determined to continue our daily training. In these trying times, our coaches stood by us and provided unwavering support. They stayed with us, ensuring that we received the guidance and assistance we needed. They understood the challenges we faced and went above and beyond to help us adapt to the new circumstances," says the runner.
Though the circumstances were not ideal, the team made the most of what they had. “We transformed our living spaces into makeshift training areas and pushed ourselves to maintain our fitness and skills. The dedication and support of our coaches played a crucial role in keeping us motivated and focused on our goals. Through perseverance and teamwork, we overcame the obstacles posed by the pandemic and remained committed to our athletic development," she recalls.
And that is also how the runner rationalises challenges like missing classes and missing festivals at home outweigh winning which makes her happier and the sacrifices worth it. Looking ahead, she says that she would like to represent India in more international competitions, win more medals, participate in the Olympics, and make the country proud.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21JtuKVccec
"I aspire to inspire and motivate more young children to pursue sports and strive for success. By setting an example through my dedication and achievements, I hope to ignite a spark in their hearts, encouraging them to dream big and work hard towards their own accomplishments. With a strong sense of purpose and determination, I am eager to continue my training, give my best performance, and make a positive impact in the world of sports,” the runner avers. In her spare time, she indulges in drawing, watching videos on YouTube, and ‘roaming around’, in her own words. Until then it is time to celebrate this young prodigy and raise a toast to her success today and in the future.
(Aug 23, 2023) "Water is my battlefield," writes Anshuman Jhingran in one of his social media posts. At 18 years 125 days, the Navi Mumbai swimmer became the youngest to cross the North Channel – a strait between Northern Ireland and Scotland that connects the Irish Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. He became the 114th swimmer and the youngest to do so since 1947. The youngster is on a mission to become the world's youngest swimmer to complete the Oceans Seven, considered the Grand Slam of open water swimming, comprising seven of the world's toughest open water crossings. [caption id="attachment_32679" align="aligncenter" width="499"] Anshuman Jhingran[/caption] North Channel was Anshuman's first swim as part of the Oceans Seven challenge. He swam for 35 kilometres in 11 hours, 28 minutes and 52 seconds finding a place in the Guinness Book of Word Records. "I set this world record on 17th July 2023 and have been super proud of it. Being able to enter my name in the Guinness Book of World Records feels like a dream come true," the overjoyed swimmer remarks. Turning adversity into opportunity Anshuman has been swimming since he was five years old. As a competitive short distance swimmer, he
Word Records. "I set this world record on 17th July 2023 and have been super proud of it. Being able to enter my name in the Guinness Book of World Records feels like a dream come true," the overjoyed swimmer remarks.
Turning adversity into opportunity
Anshuman has been swimming since he was five years old. As a competitive short distance swimmer, he had made rapid progress, participating at various meets across the country, and in state and national level championships winning laurels. However, open water swimming was a completely different ball game.
He had not given a thought to diving in its tough terrain until he broke his left forearm and wrist that prevented him from participating in championships for some time, even after he recuperated due to championship norms.
Being a swimming enthusiast, he was restless. Looking at this his coach Gokul Kamath suggested that he try open water swimming. "It was very new for me, but I knew my coach would support me at every step. So, I decided to give it a go," Anshuman remarks.
Regarded as one of the most challenging among the Ocean Seven swims, the North Channel presented an intimidating test of physical endurance and mastery due to its cold waters. There were many dangerous boneless animals in the waters like the lion's mane jellyfish that swam freely. Also, the tides and currents made the swim tough till the very end.
But Anshuman was prepared. He had dedicated nearly a year to training, including two-hour sessions of immersing in ice baths to adapt to the conditions of open waters. Given that the North Channel's temperature can drop to as low as 10 degrees Celsius, and lacking suitable training grounds in Mumbai, he had resorted to ice baths to get acclimatised.
Also, he successfully completed a swim across the Palk Strait channel from Sri Lanka to India as part of his preparation. He stayed in the UK for a month before the big swim just to get acquainted with the climate.
"Open water swimming is an invitation to embrace the untamed beauty of nature," he says, adding, "Leave behind the sterile pool tiles and immerse yourself in the vastness of lakes, rivers, and oceans. It's a chance to feel the rhythm of the waves, taste the salt in the air, and discover hidden coves that only the adventurous dare to explore."
Anshuman has won many competitions in the past like the 2018 National-level medal in the 100m Butterfly swim. In 2019, he made his mark at the SNAG (Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships). His talent also led to his selection for the Khelo India Youth Games in 2020.
The class 12 commerce student at Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil College has trained at Fr Agnel Sport Centre, since years. Working closely with his coaches, Gokul Kamath and Rutuja Udeshi, both recipients of the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award, Anshuman had been dedicating at least 6 hours to training for his open water swimming challenge. Sometimes the practice hours even extended to even 12 hours on more intense training days.
At the later stage of the preparation, getting guidance from MBE Sally Minty-Gravett, a renowned coach and marathon swimmer also helped.
[caption id="attachment_32681" align="aligncenter" width="625"] Anshuman Jhingran practicing the Wim Hof breathing method while ice bathing[/caption]
Future ahead
The youngster’s eyes are firmly set on the next goal - to swim across another open water crossing of the Oceans Seven. “Only 22 people in the world have ever completed all seven swims, and I am determined to add my name to that illustrious list,” he shares. He is aiming for at least two swims by the end of this year.
“I did not choose swimming because I had to, but I did because I loved it. If the situation permits, I would love to take this as a full-time career,” says the young champion who finds support in the steadfast belief held by his parents, Sandeep and Kiran Jhingran in all that he does.
Akshay after winning The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic[/caption]
Anshuman Jhingran[/caption]
Anshuman Jhingran[/caption]
Anshuman Jhingran practicing the Wim Hof breathing method while ice bathing[/caption]