Paralympian Niranjan Mukundan calls actor Suriya ‘gentleman’

Paralympian swimmer Niranjan Mukundan, who was formerly the Junior World Champion, called actor Suriya a “gentleman”. Also, he added, the Singam actor was the “most amazing and genuine person” he’s ever met.

Taking to Twitter to share his thoughts about his meeting with Suriya recently in Bangalore, Niranjan wrote, “What a gentleman. See you super soon; probably, in Chennai itself.”

The swimmer from Karnataka posted a video clip and a picture of himself with the actor and wrote, “Now that’s a day to remember when Suriya Anna said, ‘You inspire me with the work you do for the country and I am gonna follow you and cheer you to Paris 2024’. Thanks, Anna, for spending so much time with me and my family.”

Niranjan Mukundan is a sports management master's degree holder. He underwent 19 surgeries since he was nine months old due to the medical disease known as spina bifida, a birth abnormality, in which a portion of the spinal column doesn't form properly.

Niranjan was quoted as saying in The New Indian Express, “One of the surgeons who operated on both of my legs suggested that I take up horseback riding and swimming. I was unable to walk until I was four or five years old and had to be carried everywhere, which bewildered my parents.”

Mukundan believes that the element of water had different plans for him and that this is how he came to fall in love with swimming!

One of the trainers at Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre took note of him and saw potential in him. He then suggested to his parents that they send him to para championships.

At first, Niranjan's parents were hesitant because they lacked knowledge on how to pursue athletics as a career, especially in light of my medical condition.

But he participated in contests and did well. “When you win a medal as a young person, everyone is proud of you, which motivates you to want to try again,” Mukundan was quoted as saying.

Niranjan won his first swimming medal (a silver) at a national-level competition in Mumbai in 2003 when he was just nine years old.

At the Para Asian Games in Incheon in 2014, he helped India win the 4x100 metre Relay Medley event, earning them a bronze medal. In the ten events he competed in at the IWAS World Junior Games, he took home seven gold and three silver medals.

Interestingly, when Suriya won the National Award for Best Actor earlier this year for his performance in Soorarai Pottru, Niranjan congratulated the actor and expressed the desire to meet him soon.