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Maana Patel has been making waves in the swimming pool with her impressive performances. The 15-year-old has broken three national records and is aiming to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016. She is currently three seconds short of the qualification mark in 100 m backstroke and is working hard to improve upon it.
Maana became the first swimmer to be backed by the Olympic gold quest as she looks to scale new heights in the near future.
We caught up with Maana over a telephonic interview about her young swimming career so far and her goals ahead.
Excerpts:
Q: What made you take up swimming as a child?
My mother pushed me to swimming when I was seven years old. At the time, it was just a means of gaining more weight as I had a limited appetite.
Q: You took on children elder than you at club level competitions when you were eight. Were you nervous at any point?
No. I just enjoyed my swimming. There was no pressure on me. I knew I had to be at my best to win.
Q: When did you start thinking about taking up swimming on a professional level?
I started winning tournaments at club level when I was 10 years old. But when I won my first national medal in 2011, I felt that I could really compete. That was when I began to take the sport seriously.
Q: You broke 3 national records at the Junior Aquatic National Championships in Hyderabad. What was the feeling like when you held records in your name.
I never felt that I would go on to create records. All I had in my mind was to go out and win. After I won, I just looked up at the timing and people were standing and applauding me. I was on cloud nine at the time!
Q: Tell us about your coach Kamlesh Nanavati and how has his inputs helped you in tournaments.
Kamlesh Nanavati has been my coach since I started my swimming career. He is confident about my abilities and motivates me every time. Nanavati Sir keeps a close tab on my game and suggests improvements that could be made to better my timing.
My trainer Deckline Leitao has been working on my fitness concentrating on my shoulder strength, prevent any injuries and making sure I take the right diet.
Q: How do you manage your school and swimming schedule?
It is actually quite tough. My school is quite flexible. If I do not attend any classes, I make up for it in subsequent classes or in tuitions.
Infact, I got 90 % in my 10th board exams. It is all about managing time well. I spend two hours on my swimming sessions in the morning and two hours in the evening after my school.
Q: Your incredible feats thus far wouldn't have been possible without the support of your parents.
Absolutely. My mother has always backed me in every step I took. She has been there with me in every tournament. They always support and motivate me before an event.
Q: How do you prepare for a tournament?
My coaches work on my fitness a lot to ensure that I am competition ready before any tournament. I train hard and try to meet the timing set by my coaches one or two weeks before the event.
I also stop going out with my friends and avoid taking any junk food when there are few days left for the tournament to begin.
Q: Who are your role models in swimming and other sports?
I look up to Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin in swimming. They have inspired me to chase my dreams no matter what.
In other sports, I admire Serena Williams a lot. She has been a very consistent performer over the years.
Q: You are currently 3 seconds short of Olympic qualification mark in 100 m backstroke. What changes should you incorporate in your game to make sure you make it to Rio Olympics next year?
Shaving 3 seconds off your current best timing is difficult, but not impossible. I need to work on my physical strength and follow a proper diet to see any changes in the coming weeks and months.
Q: You underwent a two-month training in Melbourne recently. Tell us about it.
It was a great learning experience for me. I swam at 5 degree centigrade, which is very cold. The coaches there helped me improve my technique a bit and suggested changes to my stroke.
Q: You are the first swimmer to be backed by the Olympic Gold Quest. How does that make you feel?
It is an honour for me to be supported by Olympic Gold Quest. They are confident of my abilities and believe that I could do well. I want to prove them right by putting up good performances in every tournament I feature in.
Maana will be next seen at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa in September before the Asian Age group Championships in Bangkok in October.
Olympic Gold Quest’s support to Maana
OGQ started supporting Maana fron February 2016.
1. Maana trained in Australia for 2 months in May and June which was taken care by Gujarat government. OGQ took care of her mother’s travel to Australia.
2. On 20th July, OGQ arranged for sports science tests for Maana in Mumbai. A nutritionist’s appointment was also arranged.
3. OGQ will be giving full support on the medical front, be it Physiotherapists, nutritionist etc.
4. Maana will be working with strength and conditioning coach Deckline Leitao. Maana was in Bangalore from 24 -26 July.
5. Logistical support for tournaments which are not covered by federation or government. Travel and accommodation of her mother will be taken care by OGQ.
