A TV grab of Khatau P Thakkar (left) receiving the Dhyan Chand award from president Pranab Mukherjee in 2014

Just as Mumbai's swimming fraternity was coming to terms with the spate of losses of its distinguished stalwarts in recent times, death came calling once again and dealt a massive blow when it snatched away India's most decorated and celebrated champion achiever in aquatics at the Asian Games, Khatau P Thakkar (KP as he was known to his friends) On October 12. KP (84) was ailing for some time.