He eats, sleeps and breathes swimming, metaphorically. Meet Devnoor Singh Dhaliwal who studies in class VI at Apeejay School, Tanda Road. This 10-year-old prodigy has his cap filled with several achievement feathers already and there is no stopping him still.
Read edited excerpts here.
Tell us something about your achievements in swimming recently.
I won several competitions organised recently. A few of them are a Gold medal in 50 m Freestyle swimming; a Gold medal in 100 m Backstroke; a Silver medal in 50 m Backstroke, and a Bronze medal in 200 m Freestyle.
Who is your inspiration behind learning this sport?
My brother Chaitanya who is studying at Apeejay School Mahavir Marg, Jalandhar in class XII has been my constant source of motivation. He is also the National Best Goalkeeper in Water Polo.
Who is your favourite swimmer around the world?
It is the one and only Michael Phelps. He is the most decorated Olympian of all time with 23 Gold medals. Throughout his career, he set 39 world records and won a total of 28 Olympic medals. His extraordinary achievements in the pool have cemented his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in history. Watching him achieve so much, I feel highly motivated.
How did Apeejay support you in your sports journey?
My school exempted me from house tests and classes so that I could focus on my training well. The teachers have been kind and understanding throughout. They even helped me cover my syllabus well so that I could perform fairly well in my exams.
Do you follow any special diet?
No, I don’t follow any special diet. I eat regular ghar ka khana which is the healthiest. I also maintain my protein intake properly and avoid junk food.
What does your training regime look like?
I follow a fixed and disciplined fitness regime which entails exercise and yoga. Apart from that I also go to my swimming classes daily after school and spend almost three hours in the swimming pool.
Would you like to take up swimming professionally in future?
Yes, I would like to become the best swimmer in my country. I dream of representing my nation in the Olympics and similar world events and earning a few medals.