He takes to pool like duck to water

‘’The water is your friend. You don’t have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move’’

- Alexander Popov

Eighteen-year-old Arun S, who  arrived at SAI (Sports Authority of India) recently, is sure that he hasn’t heard the above said philosophy of Alexander Popov, the legendary Russian freestyle swimmer.

Nor did he try to imitate the tactics of his rivals when he lined up for the finals of the 60th State Senior Aquatic Championship, which he made his own by winning five individual  medals and two relay events.

The only fact that this individual champion in the recently-concluded state championship acknowledges is that he loves swimming, breaststroke to be specific, and all the rest, including winning medals, come only second. This easygoing, yet promising, swimmer was one among the few who entertained the crowd and the swimming fraternity when they literally set the water on fire.

Arun, currently training under SAI coach Madhusoodhan, won gold in 50 m, 100 m and 200 m breaststroke events, 200 m individual medley and 100 m freestyle, besides two gold medals in relay disciplines. He also created a new state record in 50 m breaststroke, his pet event, by clocking a new time of 00:31:63.

 The magnitude of the teen’s success bears much significance as the 18-year-old had to compete with senior swimmers, most of them in their early or mid-twenties, in the championship.

 “Most of the swimmers were older than me. But I didn’t focus on them. I was least concerned with what they were going to do. My mind was blank and the only thing that was in my mind was the ticking of the clock,” says this plus-one student at SNG HSS, Chempazhanthy.

 Surprisingly, the teenager does not have any ambitions, even an Olympic outing. “I want to improve my timing and that’s all,” he quips, when asked about his future plans.

 But the coaches have high expectations for Arun. “He is a talent who could evolve into a star, if properly groomed,” says N Suresh Kumar, the current Kerala senior swimming team manager, who had trained Arun to win gold in the 2009 Junior National Aquatic Championship.

 Arun belongs to Karumam, near Kaimanam. His family comprises father Sivan Kutty, mother Sobha, younger sister Anjana and elder sister Athira.