Belagavi-based deaf, dumb swimmer selected for Ekalavya Award

BELAGAVI: Umesh Khade, an international deaf and dumb swimmer has selected for prestigious Ekalavya Award for the year 2016. State government gives this award to the outstanding sports personalities for their various achievements at national and international competitions. Award will be given on Friday at Mysuru.
Hails from Ankali in Hukkeri taluk of the district, 28-year old Umesh has won 18 gold, 8 silver and 16 bronze medals made national record at the national swimming competitions conducted for the Deaf and Dumb.The highest achievement of his life is Olympic participation. He has represented India in 22nd Summer Deaflympic held at Sofia, Bulgeria in August 2013 and 8th Asia Pacific Deaf Games Taoyuan 2015.
Umesh is the member of Swimmers Club Belgaum and Aquarius Swim Club trained under coaches - Rajesh Shinde, Akshay Sheregar, Prasad Tangankar and Ajinkya Mendke. Sportsperson who is from very poor financial family background, supported by Polyhydron Foundation, KLE Chairman Prabhakar Kore and various personalities like Umesh Kalaghatagi, Avinash Potdar etc.