Indian Paralympian Niranjan Mukundan eyes gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

Roadblocks and setbacks are a test of true grit and perseverance that not many of us can pass. The few who do see the challenges through however, are the stuff of inspiration. One story of transformation is that Indian Paralympian Niranjan Mukundan. He battled a crippling birth defect and emerged a champion in every sense of the word. Today, the country’s ‘golden boy’ is currently aiming for gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games which will take place in Birmingham in July. Featured in the ‘gamechangers’ category of the Forbes’ 30 Under 30, Mukundan also recently brought home the gold, silver and bronze in various categories at the Para Swimming Cup 2022 in Prague and a bronze at the Championnat De France. He speaks to Global Indian from Portugal, where he was participating in the Madeira 2022 Para Swimming World Championships.

Niranjan Mukundan. Photo: Instagram

No challenge is insurmountable

“I was born with spina bifida and was introduced to swimming as form of aqua therapy to strengthen my muscles,” says the twenty-seven year old. Spina bifida, which affects fewer than a million Indians each year, is a birth defect in which part of the spinal column is improperly formed, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed. Life expectancy and well-being depends on which area of the spine the defect is located. “I have undergone 19 surgeries on my legs and back since the time of my birth,” he says.

Acting on his doctor’s advice, Mukundan was taken for swimming classes. He found instant joy, which would go on to shape the course of his life. “I enjoyed being in the water as it gave me a sense of freedom and I was able to move from one place to another in the pool,” he avers. “Kids usually take around three weeks (20 days) to learn how to swim but I managed it in 12 or 13 days.”

Commonwealth Games— An Eyeopener

 Now, after a long period of intensive training, Mukundan is heading off for his first ever commonwealth games. “I had qualified in 2014 as well but I became injured just before the event so I couldn’t take part,” he recalls. “The 2018 games did not have an event in my category, so this year will be my debut,” says the athlete, who has spent the last three years shuttling between Thailand and Germany to train. At the world championships in Portugal recently, Mukundan broke two national records on Day 1 and Day 2.

Niranjan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Indian para-athletes have established themselves on the global map but the young sporting star believes there’s a long way to go for the country to equip its para-talent. “We are in a phase where we are getting recognition but it’s not yet what we fully deserve,” he opines, adding, “People still need to get that awareness about Paralympic athletes and support us more so we have that moral boost. Over the years we (para athletes) have done exceedingly well at the global stage winning medals and bringing laurels to the country but we still lack sponsorships and endorsements from our own brands. Nobody needs sympathy anymore. It’s about time we credit talent for what it is.”

Career Highlights

While Mukundan believes in setting newer benchmarks for himself, he’s come a long way from the happy child who loved to swim, becoming a rising star on the global map.

Mukundan has many feats to his credit— a Paralympian finishing 11th at the Tokyo Paralympic Games 2022, he is the first Indian para swimmer to win 85+ international medals representing India as well as the first and the only Indian para swimmer to hold the greatest number of Asian records (LC and SC) to date.

Taking It One Day at A Time

“I am a travel junkie, I love to travel and my profession takes me around the world. Having visited close to 40 countries, I love meeting new people and exchanging cultures (something that’s very beautiful when you experience it). I am also an adventure freak, I love doing things which people feel I wouldn’t be able to do at all (I recently sky dived from 14000ft in Switzerland, which I think is one of the best places in the world). That said, I’d like to take one day at a time, and keep my sights set on the future while enjoying the present for what it is,” says Mukundan, who has two international championships before him— Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and Paris 2024.

A Dream Like None Other

Lofty aspirations have proven to work in Mukundan’s favor like none other. “A lot of people didn’t believe I could ever be independent. However, I’d like to think of every challenge as a push to where I’ve always wanted to be. I also have a sporting dream—To be India’s most decorated para swimmer of all time! I think the love towards the sport as well as the pride of representing your country at the highest level keeps me going,” he signs off, and the sparkle in his eyes is hard to miss.

Follow Niranjan on Instagram