Shridhar Nagappa Malagi, the Indian Para Swimmer from Belagavi, is embarking from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. He will represent India alongside over 400 athletes, including 14 fellow swimmers, as he competes in the 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle, and 200m Individual Medley events. Let us send our heartfelt wishes and support to Team India.
At the young age of 24, Shridhar Malagi’s story is one of resilience and triumph. Growing up in the suburb of Mazagaon, Belagavi, with three elder sisters, Shridhar’s family faced financial constraints. However, their unwavering support became the foundation of his journey.
Tragedy struck when Shridhar was just six years old, as a devastating auto accident resulted in the amputation of one of his hands. Initially, the young boy struggled to find his footing and grappled with a sense of loss. Despite attending school, he lacked passion and interest. It was a fortuitous encounter at the Rotary Corporation Swimming pool at Shri Basveshwar Circle that would change the trajectory of his life forever.
Swimming Guru Umesh Kalghatgi recognized Shridhar’s potential and extended an invitation to swim. With an enthusiastic “yes” from Shridhar, a new chapter began. Supported by his parents, who initially worried about the cost of training, Shridhar embarked on his journey into the world of competitive swimming in 2012 under the guidance of Umesh Kalghatgi.
Since then, Shridhar has achieved an impressive collection of accolades, with 9 international and 41 national medals to his name, including an extraordinary 36 gold, 11 silver, and 4 bronze. He has excelled in butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and
Currently training at the ZEE SWIM ACADEMY in Bengaluru and the Suvarna JNMC Swimming Pool (Olympic Size) in Belagavi, Shridhar dedicates six hours a day under the guidance of his esteemed coaches, Umesh Kalghatagi and Sharath M Gayakwad, an Olympian and Arjuna awardee. Recognizing Shridhar’s exceptional talent, the Go Sports Foundation has provided crucial support to aid his development.
Shridhar’s most recent achievement was participating in the World Para Swimming Championship in Madeira, Portugal, in June 2022. This accomplishment stands as his greatest triumph to date. With his sights set on the 2024 Paris Paralympics and the Asian Para Games 2023, Shridhar is leaving no stone unturned in his pursuit of qualification and success on the international stage.
Swimmer Shridhar Nagappa Malagi is an inspiration.