Exclusive interaction with Rujuta Khade

Name : Rujuta
Age : 24
Date of Birth : 09/03/1996
Place of Birth : Mumbai

Educational Institutes Attended : Jasudben M.L School (mumbai), MMK College (mumbai)

Educational Qualification : B.Com Graduate

Currently Working as :

Introduction to Swimming : Started learning how to swim at the age of 4. My mother put me in swimming classes because I loved being in the water.

First Coach : Late Shri. Subodh Danke in Khar Gymkhana, mumbai

Your current coach : Shri. Nihar Ameen

Your favorite Indian swimmer (if any & why) : Virdhawal Khade, because he is a classic example of ‘age is just a number’ being the Fastest Indian swimmer since the past 10 years. His dedication towards the sport is inspiring for the senior as well as the younger generation.

Your favorite International swimmer (if any & why) : Micheal Phelps, because he is the greatest of all time.

Your main swimming event : Currently my main swimming event is 50m Freestyle. However, back in my age group days my main swimming event was 200m Butterfly

Turning Point in Life : It has to be training for Senior Nationals 2019. In those 3-4 months I started believing in myself and I started believing I can be a good swimmer. I think self Belief is one of the most important things in any athlete. Getting that back was the turing point of my life.

Most Cherished moment is life : Winning the 50m Freestyle at the senior nationals last year(2019) and winning the 50m Freestyle event at the South Asian Games held in Nepal last year. Both of these make it my first individual senior gold medal and first individual international gold medal respectively.

Major Achievements : Gold in 50n freestyle at south asian games 2019 & medallist at the Asian Age Group, 2019

Awarded Arjuna Award/ Major Award/ Recognition in the year : Shiv Chhatrapati Award 2015

I give credit for my success to : My parents to begin with. Without their constant support i probably wouldn’t have taken swimming up professionally. My first coach Late Shri. Subodh Danke, who made me a national champion. Nihar Ameen Sir who helped me make a fruitful comeback last year making me the Fastest Female swimmer. AND most importantly a big credit to VIR (Virdhawal Khade) for brining swimming back into my life and helping me to be the best i could be( for reference : i had quit swimming in 2015 due to loss of interest in the sport)

How can Indian Swimming Progress : I think Indian swimming has progressed quite a bit in the past few years. Although I think our female swimmers have a lot of catching up to do. Comparatively the Guys have improved a lot and they have performed better at the international level.

We have the talent, but I think the girls need to be more persistent. The drop off rate is quite high in India. Academics are important but Indians need to understand that Sport can create good sustainable careers too.

Fortunately we have great coaches and the infrastructure is world class as well. All that needs to change is the attitude of the swimmers and the parents. Also More of our swimmers need to start wanting to win medals for India. We need to come out of the mindset that a National medal is everything.

What all has changed for good in Indian swimming since you started swimming : Infrastructure has improved. There are a lot of young enthusiastic coaches now. Technology is now easily available for everyone to use

How are you contributing currently to Indian Swimming : I am representing India at competitions and winning medals for our country. I believe i am also setting an example for girls, that it is still possible to pursue the sport even after marriage and be the best you can be.

How you see yourself five years from now : 5 years from now i see myself as a swimming coach, giving back to the sport that has given me so much.

Message : I would like to send out a message to all the female swimmers in India. Its about time we too started winning multiple medals at International levels. There is no reason why we Shouldn’t be qualifying for Major sporting events. We need to start aiming big. National medal should not be the epitome of our careers. All the Greatest Athletes in the world wanted to be the Greatest in the World. It all starts from your attitude. Work Hard, Aim big and make it Happen.