National Games 2022: Swimmer Aryan Panchal downplays 'stress-factor' ahead of maiden appearance

Swimmer Aryan Panchal is geared up to represent the host state Gujarat at the National Games 2022. Aryan who recently clinched his first senior nationals gold at the 75th Senior Nationals Aquatic Championship held in Guwahati aims to carry his fine form to the National Games 2022. The Ahmedabad-born swimmer will be competing in the 200m, 100m, and 50m Butterfly in the upcoming games.

Aryan started swimming at a very young age when he joined the Shreyas Foundation where swimming was a part of the curriculum for kindergarten students. He was five when he joined swimming classes. He took part in competitions for the first time in 2012 which was an open championship. Initially, he considered swimming as a hobby alongside arts. However, after 2-3 years of training, he began competing in state-meet tournaments. The more he swam, the more he became fascinated with the sport.

Aryan mentioned having a ‘love-hate’ relationship with the butterfly. In the beginning, he was into backstroke swimming and butterfly was a side event. However, the 18-year-old got inclined to butterfly due to getting inspired by the legendary Michael Phelps. He used to watch Olympic games videos of Michael Phelps and it was one of the most beautiful sports to watch. This is the reason why he chose the stroke. He even found it difficult midway but didn’t give up.

Since 2014, Aryan has been training under Kamlesh Nanavati who is the vice-president of the Swimming Federation of India (SFI). He even credited Kamlesh for his overall development as a swimmer. Kamlesh who is also the present team coach of Gujarat was himself a state-level champion. Post his retirement, he not only worked as a technical officer in international competitions but has also been building up swimmers for over the past ten years.

The Khelo India University Games (KIUG) 2021 champion in 200m Butterfly idolizes two-time Olympian Sajan Prakash. He expressed, “It feels an honor. I used to feel like he was on a whole different level. He still is on a different level. He is an Olympian. But, it feels like there is very healthy competition. I have known him for 3-4 years. I know about his hard work and struggles. I have never felt disheartened while competing with him.”

However, Aryan stated that he is now focusing on improving himself and moving further. “If you want to be on the international level, you have to think of that level. he added. But when you are in the water, you have to compete with yourself and give your best. You are your biggest competitor. In competition, there are no seniors, juniors, or friends, everyone is your rival. In the swimming pool, I will try my best to catch Sajan. Right now, I am totally targeting that. It is not even a commitment now that I will beat him. There is a time for that as well”, he added.

On being asked about the National Games 2022, Aryan said that he is excited about the games happening in Gujarat. “I think that this is the time to show off. If we give a good performance, then Gujarat will go ahead in sports. People over here will be inspired and aware of things. Swimmers do well in the state-level competitions which take place. But in the nationals, it’s like a different competition altogether. When they don’t perform that well in the nationals, their morale goes down. So, tournaments like these will help in the overall development of sports in Gujarat.”

“Added pressure is there since Gujarat is hosting the games. However, I don’t believe in taking stress when an event is approaching. When you take stress, it will affect your performance. There is nervousness, which is a normal thing. Anxiety causes stress, while nervousness prepares your body for the event. I am also looking forward to better my timing”, Aryan said to SportsLumo.

Aryan’s family has played an instrumental role in his swimming career. His father Preyas Panchal is completely dedicated to his swimming career, while his mother Parvati Panchal works for a Multinational company named ADI and is in charge of distributing security products. With complete support from the parents and rigorous training, Aryan is bracing himself to leave a lasting impact in the 36th edition of the National Games.