A rising star of Tamil Nadu

While some children are good at academics, others take more interest in sports. But Sherlyn Devadasan of C S I Ewarts Matriculation Higher Secondary School is a perfect example of what we call an all-rounder.

A swimming prodigy from Tamil Nadu, 14-year-old Sherlyn started swimming at the age of six in the USA.  She came to India the following year but did not give up swimming. The swimming fraternity took note of her when she set her first record when she was eight.

“I liked swimming from day one and hence I decided to take it seriously,” said Sherlyn. Swimming has  been her life for the last eight years. She practises for over four hours a day but still finds time for her studies and assignments.

“I go to school from the pool directly and come back to finish my work at home and return to the pool for my evening session,” explained Sherlyn. Her school, she says, has been very supportive and excuses her if she is ever late.

With four national records and eight state records under her belt, Sherlyn is a person to watch out for in the upcoming 39th National Aquatic Championship that will be held in July. Setting records is nothing new for Sherlyn. Most of the times she breaks her own records and is always up for a new challenge. “She is exceptionally talented and hard working which is why she is so successful,” said her coach K K Mukundan. “Apart from my practice session in the pool in the morning and evening, I do some extra exercise at home,” she said.”

Sherlyn focuses on the butterfly and back strokes but her coach says she is the type of swimmer who would succeed with all kinds of strokes. Despite her success, she still has some regrets. “My biggest disappointment came when I failed to qualify for the Asian Age Championship. I missed qualifying by a fraction of a second,” she lamented.

One of her biggest achievements has been setting four national records in a span of one week in 2010 during the nationals. Sherlyn said she would cherish that moment.

Excited about her daughter’s prospects, Sherlyn’s father hopes that she would go on to become an international swimmer one day. Sherlyn not only rules the swimming pool but is also strong in academics. She is consistently among the top 10 in her class. “I love to read books and make sure I keep myself up to date,” she said.

“My coach is everything to me. From my practice to my food, he takes care of everything,” she signed off.