Swimmer Jayaveena on the right track

Jayaveena, who was out of swimming action for close to 10 months this year, regained her sizzling form when she returned with three gold, two silver and one bronze medals at the recently concluded all-India inter-university aquatic championship at Punjab University in Chandigarh. 

A student of Sri Ramachandra University in B.Sc. Sports Sciences, Jayaveena won the gold in 50m butterfly stroke, 100m free style and 50m free style; silver in 200m individual medley and 50m breast stroke and bronze in the 100m breast stroke event. 

Jayaveena had to miss the South Asian Games this year due to her 12th standard examinations and subsequently the swimmer missed a seat in medicine by 0.5 marks. “I was down and out when I realised I had 129.5 instead of the required 130 marks. It was devastating and I took a holiday to United Kingdom to get out of the disappointment,” the 18-year-old said. 

A senior state swimming tournament saw Jayaveena in action after 10 months but the results weren’t conducive. “I got a bronze in the 50m breaststroke event and I missed qualifying for the South Asian Championship. It was like I was at a crossroads. I knew I had to pull up my socks immediately and fortunately after a gruelling one-month training, I got my timing and confidence back with the inter-university championships,” Jayaveena said. 

Jayaveena admits that it is a case of balancing swimming and studies for the next couple of years. “Studies decide my career. I know I have to balance both and I am sure I can do it, thanks to my supportive parents and the educational institution. I have permission from the college management for my gym sessions and thankfully I am at a place where the facilities are excellent. I have to utilise them to the maximum to surge ahead in my dreams,” Jayaveena added. 

The daughter of noted movie personality Thalaivasal Vijay, Jayaveena is taking one step at a time in her bid to realise her dream of participating in the Olympics. “My first target is the World University Games followed by Youth Commonwealth Games for which I have to perform well in the junior nationals. The next would be the Asian Games and then I have to be swimming consistently to secure a berth in the Olympics in 2020,” the swimmer said. 

The doting father is going all-out to extend all possible support to help his daughter realise her dreams. With Jayaveena training in the TNCA Club in the evenings, the family has moved from Kodambakkam to Triplicane. “For any swimmer timing is their first opponent. I am elated to note that she has regained her timing with one month of diligent practice. She is confident of her future and it is my duty to support her,” Vijay added.