Pune: From taking up rowing quite by chance to creating history by becoming the first paraplegic Indian to take part in the 2019 Asian Para Rowing Competition held in Cheongju, South Korea, it has been a long and adrelaine pumping journey for Indian Air Force officer Wing Commander Shantanu.
Indian rowers won a gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the event. Wing Commander Shantanu now ranks fifth in Asia and has qualified for the April event which will be held at Cheongju.
Speaking to Sakal Times, Wing Commander Shantanu threw light on how rowing happened to him and his preparations for the event.
“It feels really great to represent India and being the first paraplegic in India to start rowing and be at the fifth position in Asia out of 21 countries, that itself is a great achievement is what I feel. I have now qualified for the April event which will be an Olympics qualifying one,” Shantanu informed.
When quizzed on how did he take up rowing, Shantanu said “I was into swimming where I qualified for the national swimming competition in para leg and during that time I was doing my gym and workout also to gain my strength. I was told by Gaurav Datta who was CEO Army Para Node. He told me about one and a half years back to build up strength and stamina so that I could be picked up in rowing. Later when he saw me swimming for almost one kilometre nonstop. it was then he picked me up and then a trial was done on me by different coaches and Ismail Baig who is a head coach. It was he who picked me up and I started rowing for one month after which there was a trial in which I was selected,” Shantanu said.
“I had a fair idea of what is going to happen. But I had no idea about what happens in rowing in international events. Because I never did rowing, I had done swimming, I played national basketball. Now being on a wheelchair I wanted to concentrate on an individual sport. In rowing I am doing single scull. I am independent. I feel that when you want to grow, you have to be independent which can be achieved in an individual game which is why I took up rowing. They just trained me and I gave the out put,” Shantanu opined.
“Anyone who has mental strength can take up rowing. It is not about being on a wheelchair. I have played a lot of games and rowing is the toughest game not only for paraplegics but also for individuals because at a point you come and break and we cross that point, it is then that you achieve something, is what I feel,” Shantanu added.
“My target is very clear which is to qualify for the Olymic Games in 2020. I am taking rest for two to three weeks now after which I will start with my routine of gym, swimming, rowing and workout to gain my strength and stamina again,” Shantanu concluded.
Inspirational
Wing Commander Shantanu met with an accident in Jan 2017. He was in coma for two months after which he came to MH Kirkee for rehabilition. It was then that he started swimming in Paraplegic Rehabilition Centre (PRC). Later he took up swimming in a competitive manner which was followed by rowing. He has received support from Brig CM Sreedhar, Commandant MH Kirkee, Col Anil Kumar Mishra, HOD Orthopedics Department, Col Vyom Sharma and MH Kirkee.
