Navi Mumbai: Avni Sonkusale, a 10 year old Navi Mumbai resident, recently won the U/10 Raigad swimming championship. Avni, who had also won the same U/8 championship two years back, wants to make “winning as habit”. “I had won all the competitions in the Under 8 category and went to state level selection at Goregaon, Mumbai for Nationals,” happily remarks Avni.
She learnt swimming from her father who used to take her to pool along with him when she was just 2 year old. She went for advanced coaching when she was 7 year old. Under the guidance and training of National level coach, Mr. Kishore Patil, Avni is now participating in various aquatic competitions and bringing laurels. “I practice daily for atleast 2 hours. Initially, I used to feel very exhausted, but now it has become a daily routine,” she adds.
Studying in 4th standard at Bal Bharati Public School, Avni has been participating in various other extra-curricular
activities as well. She bagged the ‘All Rounder Voracious Reader’ trophy in 1st, 2nd and 3rd standard. She is a good painter and her drawings were exhibited at the School’s annual day function this year. Avni is equally inclined towards dancing. “I am currently learning Ballet form of dancing,” she informs.
Avni is equally good in academics too and the key for all round achievement, she says is “proper time management”. “I make it a point to cover the homework on the same day after I come back from school. Daily half an hour is good enough for me to keep with the class and also to score well in my exams. So far I am amongst the toppers in the class,” says Avni with a smile.
