Making a Splash: Winning Silver at the Zonal Swimming Championship by Mannat Malhotra

There are moments in life that stay with you forever- moments that remind you of how far you’ve come, how much effort you’ve put in, and how perseverance truly pays off. Winning the silver medal at the Zonal Swimming Championship was one such moment for me. It wasn’t just about standing on the podium; it was about the journey that led me there.

When I first started swimming, I never imagined competing at a zonal level in Delhi State. Early mornings, endless laps, and aching muscles became part of my routine. There were days I wanted to give up — when progress felt slow and fatigue took over. But with every practice session, I became stronger, faster, and more determined. My coach constantly reminded me that consistency is the secret ingredient of success, and I held on to that belief through every challenge.

The day of the competition was filled with nervous excitement. The pool buzzed with energy as swimmers from different schools and districts gathered, each hoping to make their mark. As I stepped onto the starting block, my heart pounded in rhythm with the whistle. The moment the race began, everything else disappeared — it was just me, the water, and the rhythm of my strokes.

The race was intense. I could see the swimmers beside me giving their all. When I finally touched the wall and looked up to see my name in second place, a wave of pride washed over me. Silver might not be gold, but to me, it symbolized progress, growth, and resilience.

Standing on the podium, hearing the cheers of my teammates and coach, I realized that every drop of sweat and every early morning had been worth it. This medal wasn’t just a piece of metal — it was a reminder that hard work pays off and that success isn’t always about being first; it’s about doing your best and improving yourself.

As I look ahead, this silver medal has only motivated me to aim higher. I now train with renewed passion, knowing that every stroke brings me closer to my goals. Swimming has taught me discipline, confidence, and the power of perseverance — lessons that extend far beyond the pool.

I feel that sports play an important part in our life. With higher classes my schedule is becoming busier, but I learnt the importance of balancing your time table to find time for sports. Sports is leisure which no money can buy for you. Swimming is a lifesaving sports and I feel blessed that me and swimming have chosen each other. My father learnt swimming when he was thirty-five. He motivated me to start learning it early in life as a growing brain learn the sports reflexes faster. His passion triggered a spark in me. I am through with free style and will endeavour my best to compete in butter fly category next year.

The journey does not end here. I look forward to share whatever skills I have learnt with my friends and people coming for swimming and continue with humble initiative of sharing is caring in another walk of life!