From autism to world record: Little Daniel's swimming triumph in Vembanad lake

KANNUR: Overcoming the challenges of autism, four-year-old Daniel set a world record by swimming in Vembanad lake. He completed a five-kilometre swim and is now the youngest person with a disability under ten years old to swim such a long distance. Daniel trained in swimming as part of water therapy.

He is the son of Praful Joseph, who lives in Mangalore, and Aishwarya, a nurse in Ireland. Daniel hails from Pariyaram Alakympalam, Kannur, and currently stays with his grandmother, Shanti M Babu, in Pariyaram. His autism symptoms were noticed at the age of three. He received therapy at a Child Development Centre in Kottayam, but there was little improvement.

Shanti then learned about water therapy, and Daniel began swimming training at Jeevan Raksha Swimming Academy in Kottayam. Since then, Daniel has shown remarkable progress—he now sleeps well at night, eats properly, and no longer cries excessively. Currently, he still has some difficulty speaking, but he has started writing as well. He is a student at Dreamware International Montessori Pre-School in Pariyaram and also trains in keyboard at Payyannur Tapasya. He has siblings David and Sara Mariam.

Learned to swim in three days

Daniel learned to swim in just three days. On the first day, he used a swimming tube, and by the following days, he could swim without support. The academy awarded him the Super Swimmer Award.

On August 17, as part of Independence Day celebrations, Daniel qualified for a world record attempt by swimming two kilometres in the Ashtamudi lake. On September 15, he swam at Vembanad lake to officially set the world record. The competition included children who completed a swimming therapy course under the government’s disability initiatives. His coach is Grand Master Abdul Kalam Azad from Kottayam Swimming Academy.