Getting better with every performance

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, April 24

Sohail Singh Mahal, an upcoming swimmer from Ludhiana, already has a haul of medals in his kitty and his appetite to garner more is intact.

He has won 93 medals so far and the counting is still on.

Sohail (17), a Class XII (non-medical) student at DAV Public School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar branch, took up the game at the age of six under the guidance of swimming coach Ajay Sharma at Punjab Agricultural University pool.

Sohail secured his maiden medal in 2012 during the Ludhiana District Swimming Tournament, on the basis of which, he was selected to represent the district team in the Punjab championship held in Ludhiana.

Sohail gave a stupendous performance in the state competition, as he notched up a gold medal in the Under-14 category in 200-metre breast stroke event.

Sohail’’s father Dr Jaskaran Singh Mahal, Dean, Agriculture Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana, engaged senior coaches Vasakha Singh and Jatinder Singh to hone former’’s skills further.

His coaching under these experienced coaches produced the desired results instantly, as Sohail went on a winning spree, adding one after another medal in his bag.

Sohail stamped his supremacy clinching top honours in the breast stroke and free style events for five years in a row besides relay races and in water polo.

His performance in the state championship was taken into consideration while finalising the Sub-Junior National Biathlon Competition held at Karnal in 2016. He finished at the sixth place and was picked up to participate in the International Biathle Championship held at Sarasota in the US.

Last year, Sohail participated in the National DAV Sports championship in Ambala, where he won a silver medal in 200-m breast stroke.

Currently, Sohail has been getting coaching at Lodhi Club, where coach Saurabh imparts training to him. He has been training hard to prepare for the National Swimming Championship scheduled to be held in June.

Principal JK Sidhu appreciated Sohail’s outstanding achievement and wished him more success in future. She also advised others to emulate Sohail and bring fame to their parents and the city.