Prasanta Karmakar

Bangalore August 17, 2010 – The Indian Swimming fraternity has reason to celebrate with news filtering in that India’s top para swimmer Prasanta Karmakar is officially ranked the Asian No.3 in the S-9 category. The Kolkata born lad who trains in Bangalore with renowned swimming coach Nihar Ameen has been steadily climbing the rankings in recent times. He is currently ranked as Asia’s no.3 in four different events – 50m Freestyle, 100m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke and 200m Individual Medley.

With the train toward the Commonwealth Games picking up pace, carrying with it a heavy load of controversies, accusations and political obligations, Prasanta Karmakar is not one to let the politics of it affect his performance, “I want to bring medals back to India, I will continue to work hard to win at the Commonwealth Games and create awareness for Paralympic sports in our country”, says the ever determined Prasanta.

As for now the 29-year-old Prasanta is one of two swimmers representing the tricolor at the 2010 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven. The Championships, taking place between the 15th and 21st of August at Pieter van den Hoogenband Swimming Stadium, will play host to a total of 649 athletes from 53 different countries. When told about his latest surge in the Asian rankings, a modest Prasanta responds, “I am glad to reach this level and make Indians proud on this Independence Day weekend, but there is still a long way to go and I want to reach the top of the world stage. As of now I am only focused on my 50m freestyle event taking place on the 19th.”

The story of Prasanta Karmakar will continue to inspire Indian fans across the country, and expectations are high on the swimming sensation to win a medal at the Championships in Eindhoven and to do the country proud at the Commonwealth Games.