Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Parasports
  • Huafrid Billimoria is the 1st Indian with dystonia to achieve swimming feat

Huafrid Billimoria is the 1st Indian with dystonia to achieve swimming feat

Parasports March 9, 2020
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Mumbai-based triathlete Huafrid Billimoria is the first person with dystonia to swim 10-kilometres. Huafrid achieved this feat swimming off Juhu Beach on Sunday. Dystonia is a debilitating neurological condition that causes muscles to contract uncontrollably.

Two records in little over a week for Mumbai triathlete Huafrid Billimoria. A little over a week after he became the first Indian with dystonia to complete the famous swim-athon from sunk rock to Gateway of India in Mumbai, he swam 10-kilometers off Juhu Beach on Sunday.

24-year-old Huafrid was four among 12 people to achieve that feat. He is also the first Indian with dystonia to swim 10-km in the sea. Dystonia is a prolonged neurological condition that is debilitating. It causes the muscles to contract in an uncontrollable manner.

Sports helped overcome challenges of dystonia

Huafrid, who was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 16, has never allowed that to come in the way of his passion for sports, even while battling additional challenges like severe learning disabilities and ADHD.

The 10-km distance was incredibly tough at points as Huafrid shared.

Only four out of 12 swimmers finished the distance and I was one of them. They were my able-bodied compadres who I respect and look up to from the bottom of my heart. This tells you how difficult the swim was. At a point I just wanted to stop swimming and felt like giving it all up. The first five kilometres were as smooth as applying butter on bread except for my OCD turning up its heat with the weird negative repetitive thoughts. – Huafrid Billimoria, Triathelete

Huafrid swimming in the sea.
Huafrid at Juhu Beach after swimming 10 km.
Huafrid with some of the other participants.

Memories of hard times kept him going

Certificate of Huafrid's achievement.

Huafrid says he kept himself going by remembering the tough times he faced in childhood including the bullying from classmates and teachers. “I was like it’s going to be do or die but there ain’t be going to be quitting!”. Huafrid says he uses his experiences to motivate himself “I use them as fuel to prove to myself that I deserve this more than anyone.”

Huafrid kept going even after he sustained a cut on his foot while swimming midway. “From the eighth to the tenth kilometre I felt it was going to be impossible. After the tenth kilometre I ran to the beach and realised I had done the impossible for someone like me!’

Apart from swimming, Huafrid has also added martial arts to his routine. He started swimming over a year ago despite facing difficulties due to his condition. Thanks to his coach Deepthi Indukuri he was able to overcome these challenges.

“His anxiety is quite dominant, so we often had very long discussions about tackling this”, said Deepthi in an earlier interview to NewzHook. “What worked well was helping him understand why we are doing something and to experience the changes”.

Watch in Sign Language

Also Read:

  • Dystonia no barrier for Huafrid Billimoria who aims to challenge himself in different sports

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding Art Therapy For Autism

Parasports

Huafrid Billimoria is officially the first Indian with dystonia to run a full marathon!

Get-hooked

Understanding Osteogenesis Imperfecta

Get-hooked

#ChampionsWithCP – Miranda House student Anushka Tiwari aims to make the world a better place for people with disabilities

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.