Without the scholarship from PACE this year, I wouldn’t have been able to improve my performance,” says Sharath Gaykwad, the 21 year-old sportsman who created history in the field of Indian swimming this year.

Gaykwad, who is missing an arm, has been swimming since he was nine years old. But this year is special – he is going to the Paralympics 2012 in London. The swimmer, who is coached by John Christopher, has decided to take things as they come. “I always try to give my 100 per cent every time I race, so there is no pressure. I am just trying to get into the finals now.”