Bihar Para-athlete Shams Aalam wins three medals at 24th National Para Swimming Championship in Goa

Add as a preferred source on Google

Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh, a distinguished para swimmer from Bihar, made headlines at the 24th National Para Swimming Championship held in Goa.

The 38-year-old athlete secured an impressive haul of three medals, including a gold, a silver, and a bronze, representing his home state Bihar in a competition featuring 518 athletes from 28 states across the country.

Born in Rathaus Village, Madhubani District, Bihar, Shams Aalam once held the prestigious title of World No.1 in the men's 100m butterfly (S5 category) and men's 50m breaststroke (SB4 category). At this championship, he continued to demonstrate his exceptional skill and resilience, adding to his already remarkable career in para-swimming.

His gold medal came in the 200m Individual Medley SM5 category, where he recorded an impressive time of 4:43:18. He also clinched a silver in the 100m freestyle S5 category, clocking 1:56:63, and secured a bronze in the 100m butterfly S5 category with a timing of 2:11:71. His performance stood out in a highly competitive environment, where para swimmers from across the nation vied for the top honors.

The National Para Swimming Championship, held annually, provides a platform for differently-abled athletes to showcase their dedication and talent.

Shams Aalam was one of 12 athletes representing Bihar at the championship. Among his state compatriots, Mohit Kumar also delivered an exceptional performance, winning two gold medals.

Reflecting on his success, Shams Aalam said, "I believe consistency is the key to success, and that's what helped me achieve a medal after competing continuously for 12 years since I started in 2012. I am still winning medals, and I strongly believe that consistency plays a very important role in our lives."

The event culminated in a grand closing ceremony graced by the Chief Minister of Goa, Pramod Sawant, who lauded the athletes for their determination and perseverance.