Shams Aalam, a record-breaking Para swimmer from the village of Rathaus in Bihar’s Madhubani district, has made history as the first swimmer with paraplegia to successfully complete the National Takshila Open Water Swimming Competition last Sunday. The event, this year in its 14th edition, covered a challenging 13 km course along the river Ganga in Patna, from Shiva Ghat Digha to Law College Ghat. The Bihar Swimming Association, affiliated with the Swimming Federation of India, hosted the competition, featuring participants from each state, with around 50 competitors in total. The event is a shining example of inclusive sports in India, welcoming male and female participants while also championing disability inclusion, with another Para swimmer alongside Shams who competed in the event. Completing the gruelling 13 km course in just over 2 hours, Shams set a world record for the longest distance swimming in open water by a swimmer with paraplegia, an achievement certified by the World Records Union.
Shams’ sports career began with a black belt in martial arts, but at 24, a life-changing diagnosis and failed surgery made him paralysed from the waist down. Encouraged by his doctor and the people around him, he turned to swimming and, by 2012, won silver and bronze at a state championship. A decade later, he went on to win multiple medals in state, national, and international competitions, including the most recent gold, silver, and bronze at the 24th National Para-Swimming Championship in Goa. A TEDx speaker and advocate for Para sports and accessibility, Shams has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State, the President of India, and the Government of Bihar for his efforts in promoting inclusion and opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Shams is one of 17 Para athletes supported by CBM India, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering an inclusive society where people with disabilities achieve their full potential. Through its Inclusive Sports program, funded by a CSR initiative of one of its donors, CBM India provides tailored support to sportspersons based on their specific needs. Launched with eight athletes in its first year, the program has expanded significantly, empowering athletes like Shams to achieve their dreams with consistent financial backing.
Reflecting on his historic achievement, Shams Aalam said, “Breaking this world record and completing the competition is a dream come true. The sponsorship from CBM India has truly been a game-changer for me. It has not only helped with financial aspects but also given me the confidence and resources to focus on my performance and strive for excellence. This support marked a turning point in my career, and I am deeply grateful for the impact it has had in enabling me to pursue my goals.”
Mr. Sony Thomas, Executive Director, CBM India, remarked, “We are immensely proud of Shams’ groundbreaking achievement. His willpower and achievements highlight the potential within every individual when given equal opportunities. This sponsorship aligns with our mission to promote inclusion and empower persons with disabilities.”
Prof. Maya Shankar, President, Bihar Swimming Association, Mr. Ram Bilas Pandey, Secretary, Bihar Swimming Association, and Mr. Pankaj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Bihar Swimming Association, jointly stated, “The participation of Para swimmers in this year’s National Takshila Open Water Swimming Competition demonstrates the untapped potential in Indian swimming. This competition proves that with proper support and dedication, competitive swimming can and should be accessible to everyone. We hope this sets a precedent for other sporting events across the country to embrace inclusion as a standard practice.”
This historic accomplishment marks a significant milestone in competitive swimming, challenging conventional boundaries between Para and mainstream sports. Shams’s world record at this year’s National Takshila Open Water Swimming Competition establishes a new benchmark in open water swimming while paving the way for more inclusive sporting events across India.
About CBM India:
CBM India is a leading not-for-profit development organisation committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in India’s poorest communities. They work alongside persons with disabilities, their representative organisations, community-based organizations, institutions, and the government to remove cultural and environmental barriers to persons with disabilities’ full participation in health, education, and livelihood opportunities. They aspire to create an inclusive society in which all persons with disabilities achieve their full potential. In 2023–24, they reached over 32 lakh people, including persons with disabilities, across India.
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