Winning strokes: St Mary’s swimming champ guns for gold in nationals

Swimming has been an integral part of Anirudh Ayyagari’s life since he was three years old. The student of St Mary’s College, Yousufguda, has nurtured his passion for swimming and has gone on to win two gold medals and a bronze in the Inter College Swimming Competition organised by Osmania University.
“When I first took part in this competition in 2016, I couldn’t win anything. But I didn't give up, and last year, I won one gold, two silvers and a bronze in four categories. I also represented Osmania University at the national level in 200 metre freestyle,” says the 20-year-old, who’s currently pursuing BSc Computers.
With two gold medals — in 200 metres individual medley and 50 metres freestyle — already in his kitty, Anirudh wants to make an impact in the national level competition, which will take place from October 26 to 30.
“I’ve been practising hard under my coach Santosh Chary for the last two years and I’m gunning for the gold medal in the nationals, so that I can get an opportunity to represent India at the World University Games. Of course, eventually I want to get into the Indian national team and represent the
country in the Asian and

Commonwealth Games

as well,” he shares, optimistically.
Besides being a champion swimmer, the youngster is also a talented musician. He says, “My forte is western

classical music

. I play the piano and have successfully completed all eight grades of the instrument. I will continue my passion for music along with swimming.”