Swimming Against the Tide
True Story of Para Swimmer Madhavi Latha
- Madhavi Latha Prathigudupu - Founder President of Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India
Culture, Sport and Leisure
When she was seven months old, a massive polio attack left Madhavi paralyzed below the shoulder. But her parents refused to leave her to her fate. With their most powerful wealth—patience and love—they gave Madhavi the wings to set out and conquer the world on her own terms.
Triumphing over a near-death situation with hydrotherapy, she eventually became a national champion in para swimming. She then started a movement called ‘Yes, We Too Can!!!’ and co-opted other athletes with disabilities to realize their dreams through access to sports.
Banker, public speaker and National Para Swimming Champion with 30 medals for swimming at the state and national level, co-founder of the Paralympic Swimming Association of Tamil Nadu, the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India and more, behind this stellar list of accolades is the story of a young girl from a sleepy little village who dared to dream and challenged her circumstances, determined to surge through ‘disability’, emerging a winner and becoming an inspiration to many.
‘Sports, like music, has the power to break barriers, to unite, to build, to inspire, to go where nobody has gone before. Madhavi Latha’s life is a testimony to this and more.
A national para swimming champion empowering sports-persons across the spectrum, Madhavi’s legacy is one of strength, grace and perseverance. As founding general secretary of Tamil Nadu’s Paralympic Swimming Association, Madhavi has introduced more than 300 individuals with disabilities to swimming—people who’ve gone on to compete at both the national and international levels. She has even co-founded the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI). Recently, both the Indian men and women’s teams from WBFI participated in the Asia Oceania Zone Championships and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Qualifiers, levelling the bar for sportspersons across the globe. Madhavi also leads the WBFI’s mentorship programme which enables basketball players with disabilities to realize their dreams and ambitions beyond the court. More power to you, Madhavi!’
‘Pleasant, positive, passionate and persevering are inadequate to describe Madhavi Latha’s unique personality. Her continuing saga of high achievement, despite all odds, is a shining example of determination and dedication towards any cause she takes up, be it in sports or her professional work in the corporate world. While she continues her selfless journey of encouraging and inspiring more people, we must remember and offer our salutations to her fine family, who have helped in her progress. Madhavi Latha has indeed shown the world that true sincerity of purpose and ability count, always. Long may it continue.’
‘Madhavi’s story is one of perseverance, commitment to a spirit of service and unshakable confidence in her own potential and that of people with physical disabilities across India. Throughout her life, she has defied the odds and the expectations of her society while ensuring that others who face similar obstacles have the opportunity to do the same. Her endeavours in disability sport shine a light on how each of us can find pathways to success, no matter what barriers stand in our way.’
‘During my long years of association with Madhavi, I found her to be an exemplary leader—inspirational, encouraging, educative and purposeful. This book, which is a treasure trove of Madhavi’s life learnings, is an inspiration for all of us to chase our cherished dreams by focusing on the art of the possible, or should I say, impossible! It is also a loud reminder that infirmities are only in our mind and we should never short human imagination and willpower. Truly unputdownable!’
‘Madhavi Latha’s story is one of great courage and an inspiring lesson for many. Having had the privilege of knowing her for many years, I have been fortunate to have seen her determination and great optimism in the face of overwhelming odds. An enthusiasm and zest for life itself and all that it offers has been the feature of all that she is doing, whether it be swimming, wheelchair basketball or indeed all her other efforts to help the persons with disabilities. This book will be a lesson for us on how adversity can be overcome and on how no mountain is too difficult to climb.’