Differently abled International Swimmer of Swimmers Club Belgaum and Aquarius Swim Club Belgaum gets prestigious Eakalavya Award for the year 2016. This highest Sports Award of Government of Karnataka is given for outstanding sports personalities of the state for their various achievements at the National and International competitions.
Umesh who is deaf & dumb is practicing at Rotary Corporation Sports Academy’s Swimming Pool and Suvarna JNMC Olympic Size Swimming Pool under the watchful eyes of Swim Coach Rajesh Shinde, Akshay Sheregar, Prasad Tangankar and Ajinkya Mendke.
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Umesh Khade was born in Ankali, Taluka Hukkeri in 1988. He learnt to swim in a pond and then to develop his skills he joined up with the Swimmer’s Club Belgaum & Aquarius Swim Club Belagavi in the year 2004 in a Swimming Coaching Camp conducted for Disabled. Hailing from poor financial background, his mother and father works in the farm. He has done his schooling in Ajay Deaf and Dumb School, Belagavi. When he was in school he use to travel almost 10 k.m. to come to Swimming Pool for his practice. But with his dedication and strong desire he became National Medalist in the field of swimming.
He has represented Karnataka State and won a total of 18 Gold Medals, 8 Silver Medals, 16 Bronze Medals and National Record at the National Swimming Competitions conducted for the Deaf and Dumb. The highest achievement of his life is participating in the olympics. He has represented India two times first in 22nd Summer Deaflympic held at Sofia, Bulgeria during 22nd July to 4th August 2013 and second in 8th Asia Pacific Deaf Games Taoyuan 2015 during 3rd to 11th October 2015.
The said award will be given on 7th October 2016 at the auspicious hands of the Eminent Personalities at Mysore.