Srinand Srinivas has excelled at competitive swimming despite the pressures of being a medical intern

Nandini Kumar. Bangalore

Being a medical intern can be a challenging job. To work as an intern and fulfill the requirements of competitive swimmimg at the same time could be all the more taxing. But Srinand Srinivas, an intern at Victoria Hospital, has successfully juggled both. "I have never burdened myself with studies. But I remember waking up at 2.30 am, study till 4.30 before heading to the pool at 5 am for practice," Srinand told DNA.

The 23-year-old won two gold medals, two silver and three bronze in the recently concluded All India Inter-university Swimming Championship held in Amritsar. Srinand thus far has won over 40 medals at the All India Inter-university meets and has been awarded 4.5 lakh for his feat by RGUHS. "I am glad I never gave up swimming because at college the only thing people talk about is studies. So when I come and swim every day it sort of takes my mind off studies for a bit," said the trainee at Basavangudi Aquatic Centre.
Though many reputed swimmers in the past like Ramnarayan G, Seema R Ghai and Sahana V took up medicine, they failed to contribute their time to the sport and eventually gave up. Srinand is the lone swimmer in the state who has successfully completed five years in the professional course and set a new standard for swimmers who tend to quit once they take up a professional course. "When swimmers say there's very little time for training when they get into a professional course, it's just an excuse. Social life and staying out with friends become a priority in college which we tend to miss out if we are training."
"But at the end of it, it's worth missing those social gatherings because the sport gives you that much more in return," he said.
Srinand, who started swimming in 1990 along with cousin Archana Bhushan, a reputed international swimmer, had to struggle for 10 years before he qualified for the state team. Having a sibling who is an internationally acclaimed swimmer mostly leads to rivalry but Srinand says he never had to face that problem. "There was never a comparison with Archana, nor was I pressurized to perform. I credit my family for that. I took way too long to peak compared to my peers," Srinand admitted.
It was only in 2000 that Srinand made it to the state team for the School Nationals in Guwahati. He later went on to win over 20 medals in the senior nationals between 2002-2009. "Once I started performing, I never let my past reflect on my present. And I forgot those infamous days," he said with a glint in his eyes.
Srinand hopes to continue swimming up to the 2010 senior nationals before he starts his MD in psychiatry and is aiming for next year's SAF Games in January. "I plan to swim till next year's senior nationals. And if there is a selection trial for SAF Games I will try my luck to qualify."
k_nandini@dnaindia.net

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