Bharath Pareira
Bharath Pereira from Bangalore was only four years old when he started climbing. A true born climber, one would reckon.
The spark was lit one day when he and his family were passing the Kanteerava stadium in Bangalore and they saw some people climbing. “My father asked me if I was interested since I climbed pretty well and didn’t show any fear. My parents approached the coach Mr Manigandan and I started my training under him,” recounts Bharath.
Only eleven years old, he has already won five international medals including two silvers at the Asian Youth Cup 2011 in Singapore. Needless to mention, he has in the process, set the record for winning the most number of medals at such a tender age. Despite these achievements, sponsorship continues to be a problem. The little champ says, “Only Outback, an adventure outfit helps me sometimes. Sometimes, organisers pay for my air and train fare, but mostly it is my parents who work very hard to arrange money for me.” He admires his present coach Keerthi Pais and idolises senior climbers Praveen, Vatsala, Archana (Eklavya Award winner) and Ramon Julian.
He dreams of golden glory every day. But his dreams aren’t idle musings. He wakes up daily at 4 am and goes for his training. His wish list is long and difficult. He says, “Firstly I want to be the youngest Indian and if possible the youngest in the world to climb Mt. Everest. I also want to be the men’s national champion by the age of 16 and of course the world champion and bring India it’s first Olympic Sport Climbing gold medal.”
Big dreams and big ambitions. Things common to all the above young people who have climbed mountains or rocks few thought could be or should be climbed. But in the words of New Zealander and Everest summiter Sir Edmund Hillary – “You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can just be an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated.”
Safe to say Sir Edmund would have been sufficiently proud of these ordinary young people. If only this uncommon motivation was more common.
ACHIEVEMENTS
The spark was lit one day when he and his family were passing the Kanteerava stadium in Bangalore and they saw some people climbing. “My father asked me if I was interested since I climbed pretty well and didn’t show any fear. My parents approached the coach Mr Manigandan and I started my training under him,” recounts Bharath.
Only eleven years old, he has already won five international medals including two silvers at the Asian Youth Cup 2011 in Singapore. Needless to mention, he has in the process, set the record for winning the most number of medals at such a tender age. Despite these achievements, sponsorship continues to be a problem. The little champ says, “Only Outback, an adventure outfit helps me sometimes. Sometimes, organisers pay for my air and train fare, but mostly it is my parents who work very hard to arrange money for me.” He admires his present coach Keerthi Pais and idolises senior climbers Praveen, Vatsala, Archana (Eklavya Award winner) and Ramon Julian.
He dreams of golden glory every day. But his dreams aren’t idle musings. He wakes up daily at 4 am and goes for his training. His wish list is long and difficult. He says, “Firstly I want to be the youngest Indian and if possible the youngest in the world to climb Mt. Everest. I also want to be the men’s national champion by the age of 16 and of course the world champion and bring India it’s first Olympic Sport Climbing gold medal.”
Big dreams and big ambitions. Things common to all the above young people who have climbed mountains or rocks few thought could be or should be climbed. But in the words of New Zealander and Everest summiter Sir Edmund Hillary – “You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can just be an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated.”
Safe to say Sir Edmund would have been sufficiently proud of these ordinary young people. If only this uncommon motivation was more common.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- State Level sub junior champion
- South Zone sub junior champion
- National sub junior champion
- South Zone junior champion
- Silver medalist in the Asian Youth Cup-2008 (3 medals)
- Silver medalist in the Asian Youth Cup-2011 (2 medals)
