Sports only grow when records are broken: Swimming champ Kutraleeswaran

The English Channel or more commonly called the Channel was flowing seamlessly without a slightest knowledge that a little boy will use it to create a record.

It is the smallest of the shallow seas around the continental shelf of Europe, covering an area of some 75,000 km2. By the banks of the icy cold English channel, which was flowing in a freezing temperature of 16C, stood a 12 year old thin framed boy, looking at the channel unswervable.

This little boy took a deep breath and without a second thought, he leaped into the water like a dolphin and started to swim across the channel, much to the awe of the onlookers.

Little did he know that he will create a record of crossing the 37 Kms English Channel in 11 hours and 36 minutes and become the first and only Tamilian to achieve this feat.

Its indeed our very own Kutraleeswaran, Indian swimmer who made it to the Guinness world Records by crossing five channels in a calender year. This year marks his 25th anniversary of crossing the English Channel. Mr. Kutraleeswaran walks us through the memory lane about the eventful history.

1) It has been 25 years since you've created this record of crossing the English Channel. How do you see it?

First thing that hits me is that time flies! Cannot imagine it's already been 25 years since I crossed the channel, as I remember the entire episode as though it happened yesterday! It actually feels bitter sweet.

Of course extremely happy for creating the record over 2 decades ago, however, sad to see no one else has succeeded in the channel swim from Tamil Nadu since. Sports only grow when records are broken.

2) What made you switch your career, while being in the limelight?

Sponsorships were hard to come by. At one point I needed to sit back and think holistically and practically about my future, which led me down the path of education - engineering/masters/MBA and a solid corporate career.

3) You were seen as a role model for the 80's, 90's kids and even kids of the current generation. Infact, a lesson about you was introduced in the curriculum. Your thoughts on it?

Was definitely a very surreal experience, especially since I was a high school student myself. It was hard to fathom my juniors 'studying' about me!

God knows how many would have cursed me for points they might have lost out on exams :):)

On a serious note, grateful for the Tamil Nadu education board who decided my life worthy enough to be added into the curriculum to serve as a example for students.

4) How did your classmates and friends react on your record-breaking achievement?

They celebrated my success. I still remember the first day I went to school after my Palk Strait swim. The moment I set foot into the campus, my classmates and students across sections/grades ran down to greet me. I am in general a private/shy person. I didn't know how to react and just wanted to disappear from the scene :)

5) Do you think you would have been able to achieve further, had the State Government or the Central Government sponsored you?

Well. short answer Yes. More than 'achieving', it would have definitely given me more opportunities to win medals for our country in the international arena, which would have in turn would have motivated several others to follow their passion into sports - especially swimming.

6) Do you think this is the plight of sportsmen in India? If so, your opinion on how to improve it?

Again, we can shoot down the system from all angles. However, we should also note that sports and sports awareness has increased manifold in India over the last 10-15 years. We have world champions across a range of sports outside of cricket - chess/badmitton/shooting/wrestling/athletics et. al.

We have come a long way indeed. Having said that, scene would exponentially improve if the holistic support system evolves.

7)Students from rural background,for example sports-persons like 'Asian Athletics Champion Gomathi Marimuthu', find it difficult to develop their talents further, across the global arena due to lack of sponsorship and training. How do you see it?

Firstly, a huge congratulations to people such as Gomathi. What she has achieved in spite of her circumstances is beyond compare. I hope her achievements would garner the attention of corporate sponsors and the sports ministry.

The biggest opportunity/challenge is to spot thousands of Gomathis from our heavily talented rural populace. This is an area where the government, through structured and efficient policies, can play a dramatic catalyst. Of course, once we unearth such incredible talent, they should be nurtured all the way to maximise their potential.

8) What are your future plans? Do you wish to choose sports as your career now?

In terms of Sports, I don't see myself taking it up as a career. On the professional front, am in the Venture investing business helping grow and support entrepreneurship, which in many ways is akin to sports - spotting talent/investing in them and helping them achieve/grow the economy.

Yes, I'd definitely like to be associated one way or other with sports - maybe starting a swimming academy down the line.

Kutraleeswaran answered affirmatively, when asked about his interests other than swimming. We from the team DTNext, congratulate him again for holding an unbreakable record in swimming and wish him that he achieves accloades in future endeavours.