Meet Pratyasa Ray: The Inspiring Swimmer Overcoming Health Challenges
A Journey from Health Struggles to Swimming Stardom
Jaipur: At just three years old, Pratyasa Ray's family sought medical help for her ongoing health issues and stunted growth. Her mother, Charushree, learned about the potential benefits of water therapy for children facing serious health challenges and decided to explore this option.
What started as a therapeutic endeavor has transformed into a remarkable swimming career for Pratyasa, now 23. She showcased her skills at the Khelo India University Games in Rajasthan 2025, where she earned three gold medals, one silver, and one bronze at the Sawai Man Singh Swimming Complex.
As a student at Utkal University, Pratyasa has amassed a total of 18 medals across four editions of the Khelo India University Games, including nine gold and seven silver medals. Her impressive performances extend to various national and international competitions.
Reflecting on the challenging times when Pratyasa's health was a significant concern, Charushree shared with SAI Media, "Pratyasa was born healthy. However, after being given antibiotics at just 21 days old, she experienced adverse reactions that halted her physical development. Our worries grew as we wanted a healthy child, but everything seemed to be against us. I read in Reader’s Digest that swimming could aid children with health issues, and tired of constant hospital visits, I decided to take that chance."
"I began taking my three-year-old daughter to a swimming pool in Sambalpur. Since she was too young for admission, I joined her in the water. The initial days were filled with tears and fear, but gradually, she began to see water as a source of play. Within two months, our hospital visits decreased, and after three months, her health improved significantly," she recounted.
Six months after her first swim, Pratyasa indicated she could enter the pool without a float. Her mother recalled, "It was as if the water provided her relief. She started to enjoy being in the water and realized it was keeping her away from hospitals. Over the next few years, she effortlessly increased her swimming distance from 25 meters to 50 meters."
Pratyasa does not remember those early days; her knowledge comes from her mother. She stated, "A local coach in Sambalpur recognized my talent and encouraged me to pursue competitive swimming."
At the age of eight, Pratyasa began her formal training at the Jharsa Khaitan Swimming Complex under the guidance of Rangnidhi Seth.
"During this time, my father, Rajat Kumar Ray, who works for the Odisha government, was transferred to Bhubaneswar. I then continued my professional training in Kalinga. Balancing my studies and sports, I am currently pursuing a double postgraduate degree from Utkal University," she explained.
Throughout the years, Pratyasa has earned numerous medals at both national and international levels. In addition to her achievements at the Khelo India University Games, she has participated in three editions of the Khelo India Youth Games, securing four silver and three bronze medals.
Her standout performance in the KIUG took place in Guwahati last year, where she won four gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, earning her the Eklavya Award from the Odisha Government.
However, shortly after those Games, she faced a setback with a hairline fracture in her shoulder. "Surgery wasn't necessary, but I required two months of rehabilitation. This meant I had to miss my primary backstroke events, but I remained determined. To keep my competitive edge, I started participating in freestyle and longer events of 200 and 400 meters," she shared.
She made a strong recovery in time for the Senior Nationals in September last year, clinching gold in the relay and silver in the 100m backstroke. Now, her sights are set on joining the Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
"My aspiration is to compete in the Asian Games, but before that, I aim to participate in the World University Games and enhance my timing. I love swimming, and I want to continue swimming while achieving personal milestones along the way," she concluded.