Chandrakala Ojha, a 15-year-old girl from Purai village in Chhattisgarh’s Durg district, has made a splash in the world of swimming by setting a new world record. The young prodigy swam continuously for eight hours, entering her name in the Golden Book of World Records.
A Family of Champions
Chandrakala comes from a family of national and state-level players. Her elder sister, Bhumika, is a national swimmer, and her younger brother, Siddharth, is a state player. From a young age, Chandrakala showed a talent for swimming, and she has been training intensively since she was five years old.
A Golden Future
Chandrakala’s dedication to swimming has paid off. She has won three gold and two silver medals in Junior Open National and State championships, and she has her sights set on a career in swimming. Not only does she want to achieve greatness for herself, but she also wants to help other youths in the state become excellent swimmers. She believes that every village should have a swimming pool and academy to support aspiring swimmers.
Training for Success
To achieve her world record, Chandrakala had to train hard. She practiced for 10 to 12 hours every day, with her coach, Om Kumar Ojha, pushing her to her limits. But Chandrakala wasn’t alone in her quest for success. The whole village supported her, with one group monitoring her diet and another monitoring her sleep to ensure that she had everything she needed to succeed.
Making Waves in Purai
When the big day arrived, Chandrakala started swimming at 5.10 am in the pond of Purai village. She recited prayers before taking the plunge, and she swam non-stop until 1.10 pm, setting a new world record. When she emerged from the water, the whole village congratulated her. Dr Manish Bishnoi, Asia Head of the Golden Book of World Records, announced her achievement, and State Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu awarded her with the Golden Book of World Record certificate and medal.
A Bright Future
Chandrakala’s achievement has put Purai on the map as a village of champions. There are currently 103 young swimmers in Purai, all with experience in national and state games. Chandrakala’s dedication and hard work have inspired the next generation of swimmers to follow in her footsteps, and her future in swimming looks very bright indeed.
