The Indian Swimming fraternity shares the saddening loss of Avinash Sarang, a legend of the Aquatic world. Avi, (as he was affectionately known to most of us) was aged 80 and breathed his last on 26th August 2024 and was soon cremated. He carves a permanent niche in the hall of fame of Indian Swimming. Very hard to remember a swimmer who could scale his heights, who was the ultimate role model for the aquatic world. Avi is probably the only National Champion in pool events (viz. 100 mtrs Butterfly and middle distance freestyle events) to excel as a water polo player and open water Swimming -taking allround excellence to an unprecedented height. Without doubt one of the most enduring and dynamic personalities of Indian Swimming.
Avi swam the English Channel on 28th August 1974 and today should have been the 50th Anniversary of that historic swim. His brothers Anand, Ashish and nephew Sahil were planning a celebration for Avi at the Hospital to commemorate the historic feat, before the cruel hands of fate robbed us this legend yesterday
Avi was ailing for the past few months and his health began to deteriorate rapidly which forced his being admitted to the Shanti Avedna Hospice for palliative care in Bandra West. He looked very meek in recent days but was as buoyant as ever when meeting colleagues Pradeep and Smita Digvikar, and enquired about the water Polo scene in Mumbai. His brothers Anand and Ashish along with his nephew Sahil had also visited him a few days ago and Avi was brimming in great spirits though a little weak. In fact,Avi was absolutely overjoyed when informed him that Central Railway won the prestigious Inter Railway Water polo Tournament held in July at the spanking new swimming pool built within the precincts of the Mahalaxmi Stadium of the Western Railway in Mumbai.
Swimming Career
Avi was a role model or all of his colleagues when they started swimming at MGMO. for his exploits as a swimmer, water polo player and open water Champion. Avinash Sarang became a household name in Swimming .His achievements triggered inspiration for the future generations, emerging new roses to bloom. Every time one stepped into the Office of MGMO, your heart would be touched with photographs of Avi, Dorothy, Visu Harmalkar and Freny Sehna which shimmered their incredible legacy. Nostalgic visions of those days bring tears to eyes of ex swimmers, similar to an epic film hitting the core of one’s soul.
The Sarang Brothers led by Avi and supported by his two younger brothers Anand and Ashish swooped the pool in the 60s.,in their respective age groups and also attained proficiency in water polo. The MGMO Swimming Pool in Shivaji Park (the first Municipal Swimming Pool in Mumbai) is where the Sarang brothers gained their baptism under the perceptive eyes and tutelage of Coach Arvind Sathe.
Avi was one of the stalwarts and star players of the Central Railway water polo team which won the prestigious Inter Railway Tournament for the first time in 1967 (57 years ago). Avi along with Captain Clement Mendonca, Bharat Merchant, Prakash Purandare, V T Harmalkar, Hatode and Jimmy Motiwalla battled to the last tooth to topple the Kolkata giants Eastern & South Eastern Railways and shattered their winning streak and complete dominance.
Avi was the first Indian to conquer the daunting English Channel in the first attempt, in 16hours, 15 mins. He undertook that venture on a day when the sea was at its most turbulent or stormiest. Braving the most adverse conditions for Avi displayed unflinching resilience to scale the incredible height. He banked on his immense experience in open water ventures over the years. In his days, crossing the English Channel was debilitating. He literally rose like a phoenix from the depths of despair or adversity, in one of the most gruelling challenges.
He captured the perch or throne of being the top Flyer from the redoubtable Arun Shaw who had built a myth of invincibility around him, in a nail biting tussle.Avi had also swept the Inter Varsity Meets in swimming and water polo. He was part of the Indian Railways water polo team and won several National Gold Medals playing a major role in the all conquering team which was near invincible in the Nationals during their decade long reign in the 60s. Avi was a key member of the Indian Water Polo Team which won a meritorious Silver Medal at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. He was one of the three stalwarts from Maharashtra (the other two being Samir Kapadia and Bharat Merchant) who played a stellar role for the team. To date, the Silver Medal performance has been the best by an Indian Team overseas. India lost a hard fought match to Japan 2-4 for the Gold Medal. Avi was one of the stars of that Team. The others being Pijus Mitra (Captain), Abdul Mutlib, Tarun Goswami, Ashok Biswas, Bharat Merchant, Samir Kapadia, Chand Ram, Umed Singh, Pattabhiraman and D R Singh. Avi was decorated with the Shiv Chhatrapati Award and was in fact the first swimmer to win this prestigious accolade. He was also bestowed upon the Arjuna Award which was then the highest sporting title instituted by the Government of India for sporting excellence.
Post-Swimming years
In later years, Avi resurrected his dynamism as a swimmer and turned into a top class Water polo Referee and Instructor. He also served the GMAAA as an Office Bearer first as a Vice President and then as the Honorary General Secretary. He diverted his attention to Coaching and had the distinction of coaching the Maharashtra Women’s Water polo Team to a Gold Medal winning performance. He also coached several state and national champions at the MIG Club.. The GMAAA acknowledged his invaluable achievements by bestowing upon him the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also a proud recipient of the Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar.
Avi first worked for Central Railway and then for Air India from where he retired as a Senior Functionary in the Cabin Crew. Tears have descended upon the Indian Swimming Fraternity with the passing of the legend Avinash Sarang.
Harsh Thakor is freelance journalist who swam the English Channel in 1988 .Thanks information from colleagues Pradeep Digvikar and Zarir Baliwalla.
