Udupi, Sep 29: When it comes to swimming, covering over 50 laps in a 25-metre long pool is no small feat, especially when it is a small boy. By achieving a feat of swimming a distance of nearly one-and-a-half kilometre without interruption, 8-year-old Ronnan Louis has caught the eye of locals and outsiders alike.
In a recent event, Ronan, who has been training through a swimming training camp, swam a total of 46 continuous laps in front of media correspondents in the swimming pool belonging to the sports department in Ajjarkadu. To cover a distance of 1,150 metres in total, the lad took around 45 minutes altogether.
The eldest son of Roshan and Shaila Louis from Brahmagiri in Udupi district, Ronnan is said to be talented even in other fields including skating, cycling and chess apart from being intelligent in studies. His father is said to be his biggest inspiration, who encouraged Ronnan to perform commendably in swimming.
A student of Class 3 in St Mary's English Medium School in Kannarpadi in Udupi, Ronan is said to have learnt swimming in only 21 days at the swimming pool in Ajjarkadu. After training in swimming over the past four months, Ronnan is now able to cover nearly one-and-a-half kilometre tirelessly in freestyle stroke of swimming. Guinness Record holder Gopal Kharvi is his trainer in swimming.
From the past several days, Ronan swims up to 50 laps in the swimming pool each day. After this daily routine, he immediately starts exercising other techniques in the swimming pool. Ronnan is able to swim for a good length of time, thanks to his breathing ability and holding his breath for periods of time underwater. At present, he aims to improve his swimming by practising other styles of swimming.
His trainer Gopal Kharvi said that it was not an easily attainable task to continuously swim 50 laps in the 25-metre long swimming pool. Since Ronan has mastered his breathing technique underwater while swimming, he is able to achieve such a feat, he said.
He said that there were four styles in swimming such as freestyle stroke, butterfly stroke, backstroke and breaststroke, out of which even freestyle stroke was difficult to master. In that, Ronan has been able to swim several laps in freestyle stroke, which is astonishing for a boy of his age, he informed.
Age becomes hindrance for entering Book of Records
Although Ronnan's father wishes to enter his son's laudable feat in the Limca and Guinness Book of Records, his attempts to apply for a record were rejected by both the establishments due to the rule stating that the child should be above 13 years of age to establish a record in swimming.
Roshan Louis said that it was his great desire to set a record by encouraging his son to swim from St Mary's Island to Malpe beach. However, as per the rules and guidelines set by Limca and Guinness book of records, Ronnan has to be above 13 years of age to be eligible to qualify for a record. Both the establishments have replied that they would not take a risk with regard to children below 13 years of age, he said, adding that he would apply for the record when his son comes of age.
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