Media Release
Mangaluru, Aug 14: Apeksha Fernandes, a grade 7 student of Bombay Scottish School, Powai had her first splash in the pool at the age of four. At eight years, she underwent training for competitive swimming under Dr P M Reddy, coach at IIT.
Apeksha's parents hail from Mangaluru, but have settled down in Mumbai due to their respective careers. Her father, Dr B G Fernandes, professor and head of the department of Electrical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, is from Arasara Guthu, Kirem. Her mother, Shalet Fernandes, is a clinical psychologist at Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai. She hails from Bolar, Mangaluru. Her brother, Dayle Fernandes is currently studying Computer Science in Hong Kong.
Apeksha won her first silver medal in girls 50 metre breaststroke under eight lower age group swim meet at Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association in 2013. Since then,she has been competing and winning medals at various inter-school and inter-club swim meets.
In 2015, having qualified for the Mumbai district and Maharashtra state meet with a silver medal in 50 metre breaststroke in both cases at the age of ten, she won her first medal at the Nationals. Thereafter, she won bronze in the 50 metre breaststroke at the 32nd sub-junior National Aquatic Championship held at Pune in July 2015. Ever since, she has won several medals and few championship trophies at various swim meets.
In the last four months, besides undergoing training in swimming, yoga, meditation and prayer became part of her daily practice. This brought about a huge boost in her confidence which reflected in this year's performance, taking her to the Nationals. She qualified at the Greater Mumbai Amateur Aquatic Association (GMAAA) district meet, with a gold in 200 metre individual medley and three silver medals, in 50 metre breaststroke, 100 metre breaststroke and 200 metre freestyle in girls group three age category under 12 years.
In Maharashtra Sate Aquatic Championship, held in Pune in May, where only the top two swimmers in each event qualify for the Nationals, Apeksha qualified in all four individual events thereby creating a new meet record. She bagged a gold in the 200 metre individual medley, three silver medals in the 50 metre, 100 metre breaststroke and 200 metre freestyle events. In addition, she qualified for both freestyle and medley relay for Mumbai district team, winning gold in both and setting new meet records in both. She qualified to represent Maharashtra State team in both relays at the Nationals.
In the 34th Sub Junior National Aquatic Championship 2017, conducted by the Swimming Federation of India, Pune from June 28 to 30, she won gold in 4X50 metre freestyle and medley relay, slashing previous meet records in both the events for Maharashtra, a silver in the 100 metre breaststroke, three bronze medals in the 50 metre breaststroke, 200 metre individual medley and 200 metre freestyle.
The overall championship for girls in this age group and sub junior meet was bagged by Maharashtra state for its brilliant performance.
Besides hard work and sacrifice, God's abundant blessings, Dr Reddy's training, guidance and tremendous support from school principal Sunita George were instrumental in her wonderful performance at the Nationals.
Apeksha aspires to represent India at Asian Games and Olympics. In addition to getting coached in swimming, she plays badminton and balances academics as well. She has won general proficiency and several merit certificates in different subjects at school. Her interest in music and playing the keyboard are additions on her achievements list.