Swimming fraternity mourns Khatau Thakkar's demise

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

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.

For someone who had won three Asian Games medals and a host of National championships, recognition came to him very late. He was honoured with the prestigious Dhyan Chand award in 2014 by the Government of India. Not once in my association of over 45 years with KP did he seem bitter or reek of rancour at being overlooked for these awards all these years.

He was always willing to give advice to young swimmers, divers, water polo players, administrators and share the wealth of experience he had accumulated through his years of enduring excellence as a champion achiever. He was a legend in the truest sense of the term. I recall his flawless bouncing on the springboards of PMHB and Otters Club and executing flawless dives even when he was 80.

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