INDIA’S most decorated visually impaired swimmer Kanchanmala Pande is set to cross the Arctic Circle to represent the nation at the prestigious Reykjavik International Games (RIG) 2026 in Iceland. Scheduled from January 23 to January 25, this elite championship will witness Pande competing as the only female swimmer in the entire Indian contingent. Having dominated the lanes at last year’s National ParaSwimming Championship to secure her qualification, Pande is now focused on one goal: bringing home international gold to start the new year. She will be representing India in the following events: 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke, 200m IM, 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke and 200m freestyle.

 

For months, the waters of the HSA - NIT Swimming Pool & Aqua Sports Club in Nagpur have been the witness to Pande’srelentlessdrive.Under the expert eye of her coach Vishal Chandurkar (ASCA Level-5), she has beenrefining her strokes for thelong-course Olympic pool in Reykjavik. “Training with Vishal sir has preparedme for theinternational standard. I am ready to give my absolute best and make India proud on the global stage,” said Pande before her departure. Whennotinpool,Pandeserves with distinction as a Class I Officer at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Nagpur. Pande attributes her success to those who stand by her. She extended her heartfelt gratitude to Vinod Deshmukh, her husband and constant motivator; Reserve Bank of India coaches Dr Pravin Lamkhade and Chandurkar.