Book on country's fastest swimmer released

Bangalore, Jul 29 (UNI) Virdhawal Kharde is only 16 but a book was written on the teenage sensation, who became the youngest swimmer from India to qualify for Olympics.

Virdhawal, the teenage sensation from Kolhapur, will keep the country's flag aloft at Beijing, when he takes splash in events 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle.

The book titled 'Kolhapur to Beijing - Freestyle!' was written by Mala Kumar, who narrates the story of a boy from a small city who becomes the fastest 15-year-old swimmer in the world. The book is published by Pratham books.

Virdhawal, trained by Nihar Amin in the city's K C Reddy swimming pool was the fastest swimmer in the country, after he eclipsed Sebastian Xavier's mark by clocking 22.69 secs in the 50m event at the Mexico World Championship recently.

''I am too excited to know that a book was written on my life. I am still a toddler in this field and have to learn a lot. This will give me inspiration and I am looking forward to do my best in Beijing,'' he said reacting to the book written on him.

Mala said the book was a short, down-to-earth biography of a boy, who hoped to inspire the children of this country realising their dreams.

Four swimmers, including Virdhawal would represent the country in the swimming events at Beijing. The others are Rehan Puncha, Sandeep Sejwal and Ankur Poseria.

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