The IIT Madras Aquatics Team, comprising 14 men and 5 women, recently participated in the Inter-IIT Aquatics Meet held in Indore, facing both challenges and triumphs. Due to challenging weather conditions, the Aquatics Meet is held about two months prior to the other sports, which are set to begin in mid-December. In an interview with the captains of the IIT Madras Aquatics Team, including Prarthana Banarji — women’s swimming captain, Karthi Hari Krishnan — men’s captain, and Anshul Chawan — water polo captain, they shared their experiences, reflecting on key moments, the impact of the institute’s support, team dynamics, and future plans.
Can you share a highlight or a turning point from the meet that showed your team’s spirit and resilience?
Our loss in the water polo semi-finals was unexpected and a huge hit to us all. While everyone was obviously very shaken, we still had to gear up for our third-place match the next day. That night, as we gathered to discuss, the team picked up their pieces and put them together better than before. We probably played one of our best matches in that final game. Even otherwise, our team as a whole faced several challenges, including illnesses and serious injuries days before the event. It was the entire team sticking together that got us through it all. Our alumni were also beyond helpful and were always around if we needed someone to talk to.
How do you think IIT Madras’s training facilities, coaches, and support staff contributed to your team’s performance?
IIT Madras was very generous with its support, especially in procuring all sorts of equipment that we required. Prathap Sir, our coach, was often more regular than any of us to the practice sessions and has been a crucial member of the swimming team for several years now. Complemented by a top-notch swimming pool, we really couldn’t ask for more.
How did your team adapt to the physical demands of the sport, and what diet and training regimens outside the pool proved to be effective?
The biggest factor that really affects everything is practice. We could split this into ‘dry practice’, involving weights, for example, and ‘wet practice’, which basically just means swimming and water polo. Beyond these, maybe the next biggest factor is nutrition. Having a separate special menu more tailored to our needs for the last two weeks during Main Camp was a big help here.
Usually, the IIT Madras contingent has a strong record in aquatics, often finishing in the top 2 or 3, but this year that hasn’t been the case, with 3rd place in water polo and 5th place in the men’s standings (despite securing 2nd place in the women’s standings). What has caused the drop in performance, and how do you plan to improve?
Stuff happens sometimes. We had a plan for water polo and it didn’t work as well as we had hoped. But I don’t think there was much we could’ve done here; it was a… canon event. On the swimming side, things get a lot more personal, and everyone’s reason differs. Regardless, we’ve learnt from our mistakes, and we’ll be back stronger next year.
As captains, what advice would you give to other sports contingents from the institute preparing for their Inter-IIT in December, particularly on team dynamics, strategy, and mental preparation?
Mental preparation is extremely underrated. The emotional highs and lows experienced at an Inter-IIT meet is a feeling unmatched by any other. Although some of these emotions may not be so positive, knowing how to move on is key. On the team sports side of things, the importance of chemistry on the field is something whose importance we learnt the hard way. The whole is greater than the sum, and not by an insignificant amount.
What is next for the Aquatics team? What are the plans for the rest of the academic year, and what would you say to freshies looking forward to being part of the team next year?
There’s the intra-hostel Schroeter tournament coming up next semester, so we’re going to be pitted against one another as we compete for our hostels. As strange as it sounds, that is precisely what makes it super fun. Schroeter is a great way to bring freshies and everyone else interested into the fray. Other than that, there are also tryouts for the team, which are open to everyone twice a year, at the end of the even semester and at the beginning of the odd semester. There are also miscellaneous events that some of us will go for, such as IIT Bombay’s Aavhan. Other than that, it’s just going to be practice, either individually or as a team, as much as we can. We plan to keep practice matches on weekends whenever the whole team is there.
Lastly, share your best memory from the Meet!
“The whole thing tends to be rather memorable. Winning women’s runner-up after coming fifth last year was definitely something I’ll never forget,” says Prarthana Banarji, the captain of the women’s swimming team.
“Us trying to play football in the hostel’s common area, putting a fan out of commission, the impromptu table tennis matches, are other small but memorable things,” quipped Karthi Hari Krishnan, the men’s captain and Anshul Chawan, the waterpolo captain
The IIT Madras Aquatics Team’s experience at the Inter-IIT Aquatics Meet in Indore highlighted their resilience, dedication, and commitment to improvement. Despite facing unexpected challenges and unfortunate stumbles, the team’s ability to bounce back and continue striving for excellence was evident. With plans already in place for upcoming events, tryouts, and continuous practice, the team is determined to build on their experiences and emerge stronger in the future.
Here is a list of their accomplishments:
| Women | Men | |
| Overall Championship – 2nd | Overall Championship – 5th | Water Polo – 3rd |
| Silver – 50m Backstroke | ||
| 4x50m Medley | ||
| Bronze – 4x50m Freestyle Relay | Bronze – 4x100m Medley Relay | |
| 100m Freestyle | 400m Freestyle | |
| 100m Butterfly | ||
| 100m Freestyle | ||
| 50m Backstroke | ||
| Fourth – 50m Freestyle | Fourth – 200m Backstroke | |
| 200m Freestyle | ||
| 50m Butterfly | ||
| 50m Breaststroke | ||
Edited by Anvith Reddy N
(Thumbnail photo credits — Kavya Pai Raiturker)
