As I stood on the diving board, the last six years flashed across my eyes – six years of relentless training of lows and highs and trying to move forward one step at a time.
I, Ramith Vaid had started training almost six years back when at a school competition I had come fourth. Even though I had not made it to the podium and got a fourth place, my school and swim coaches had asked me to come to practice with the school swimming squad every day. From then on, there was no looking back. With correct guidance and regular practice, I soon made it to the school team.
In August 2021, I was all ready to compete at the Haryana State Competition. It was my first competition in India and I was nervous, but I knew I had done my best to be as prepared as I could be. The pandemic had changed a lot of things, but I had tried my best to stay true to my game. The Haryana State Championship had more than a thousand students of different age groups competing. I was in Group 2 which comprised participants born in 2007, 2008 and 2009. There were around 400 students in Group 2 alone, and the competition was very tough.
I participated in a total of five events. My competition was my own self as I was aiming to give my personal best timing in all five. And I did it! I gave my personal best timing for all the five events. I got 2 bronze and 1 silver in my main stroke, that is breast stroke, with a timing of 3 min 02 seconds for 200m breast stroke, 1 min 24 seconds for 100m breast stroke, and 39 seconds for 50m breast stroke.
I am now looking forward to representing the state in Nationals and am working hard for it. But none of it would have been possible without my coaches, teachers and school supporting me at every step and if it was not for the coaches who gave an opportunity to the child who had not yet made it to the podium, I would not be where I am today.
– Ramith Vaid, 9I