A swimming prodigy’s story of grit, toil and a desire to succeed

For Abdulqadir Indorewala, the swimming pool holds more than just water; it ripples with a story that has been unfolding his entire adult life.

A story of a father who kept his son afloat when the weight of the world could have pulled him under.

A story of a seven-year-old son who refused to let life sink him, and instead, chose to keep swimming.

Ten years ago, Abdulqadir Indorewala suffered a severe electric shock of 10,000 volts, leaving his hands gravely injured. Doctors considered amputating both arms to stop the spread of infection. In this critical time, his parents’ support gave him the courage to stand up and meet challenges head on. 

“I am never afraid. Their faith in me that I can achieve anything in life inspired me and it continues to do so to this day,” he said.

That inspiration has borne fruit, as Abdulqadir recently returned from Egypt after representing India at the Citi Para Swimming World Series. He won gold in the 50-meter backstroke and silver in the 50-meter butterfly.

His father, Husain Indorewala, has lived in Ratlam for the past 35 years and runs a paints and hardware business. Ten years ago, when doctors consulted with him to remove his son’s arms, he was left speechless.

“I thought his life was over,” he said. Despite the shattering news, Husain said he was met with a wave of optimism as friends, community members and even school authorities assured him of their support.

“His school principal visited us and promised that the school would take responsibility to see him through his education till his twelfth year.”

It was then that Husain made a vow; no one would ever tell his son that he could not achieve something.

“I have never thought he was a handicap. When someone looks at him pitifully, I tell them to stop doing that. My son can put a thread through a needle if he wants.”

Learning to write with legs was the litmus test for Abdulqadir after his accident. It was also one that he passed within six months. From there, it was only about looking ahead.

“I was not a big sports fan. Sure, I played gully cricket and the sort, but swimming was never a part of my life. In fact, I only learned how to swim after the accident,” said Abdulqadir.

“Once Abdulqadir learned to write with his leg, I wanted to ensure that he kept learning. That was when Mr Raja Rathor came into our lives,” said Husain.

Raja Rathor, a swimming coach, approached the family and offered to teach Abdulqadir how to swim. To this day, he has not charged a single rupee for his lessons.

“Sometimes, adversity brings out the best in our humanity. Rathor Sir is a shining example of that,” says Husain.

What began as a therapeutic exercise revealed Abdulqadir’s competitive talent. His parents noticed his potential and encouraged him to compete. 

Over the past decade, Abdulqadir’s determination has also inspired the local community, where many children have taken a newfound interest in swimming—something unheard of in the town before.

Husain and his family also extended help to those who have faced similar challenges. Five years ago, they introduced swimming sessions to a person suffering from paralysis. 

“He couldn’t speak or sweat due to his condition. However, these sessions made him a little responsive to stimuli. Although he is no longer with us, I am glad that these sessions helped him, even if in a small way,” said Husain.

Husain believes that India has untapped potential for athletes across a range of sports, but it will require a consolidated effort, especially by parents.

“Whenever we are invited to speak at programs, we tell parents to get their children out of the house. In today’s age of social media, parents need to prioritise their children and afford them the opportunities to grow as individuals,” Husain continued.

As a parent, Husain teaches his children the importance of staying focused on their goals.

“Today, I have a son competing internationally in competitions and a daughter successfully running her own business. If you provide the right environment for your children, they can reach the stars.”

Abdulqadir is now preparing for the World Para Swimming Championships to be held in Singapore next year, aiming to qualify for the 2026 Paralympics and realise his dream of becoming an Olympian.