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Shreya on the podium at the 2024 Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship in Hong Kong recently. | Photo Credit: 2024asianoceanians.optiworld.org

Dance with the waves, move with the sea, let the rhythm of the water set your soul free, said the contemporary poet and author Christy Ann Martine. 

For Shreya Krishna Lakshminarayanan, one of India’s most promising young sailors in the Optimist category, Christy’s quote fits like a glove. 

In the last two years, the 14-year-old has won medals in various sailing events across the global waters, establishing herself as one of the country’s best, and a talent worth investing in the future.

After winning gold in the Musannah Racing week in October 2024, Shreya has continued her rich vein of form into 2025. She emerged champion in three events — gold overall in silver fleet in International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA)-organised Asian and Oceanian Championship in Hong Kong (silver fleet), gold in the girls’ section in the 21st Langkawi International Regatta in Malaysia, and gold in the girls’ category of the Australian Optimist Nationals in Brisbane. 

The teenager said bagging gold in Hong Kong was the most special of all. “Because it’s the most prestigious regatta for all Asian countries and the one which ranks you in the continent. Many sailors from different countries, including those from Australia and Argentina (not an Oceanian country) take part. We get good exposure and learn new things from different people,” Shreya told The Hindu. 

With a string of International achievements, what sets India’s top-ranked sailor apart is her love for the sport and passion for the seas. 

Initiated to the sport by her father at the age of eight at Royal Madras Yacht Club, Shreya, since supported by Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, took an instant liking for the sport. 

“Steering the boat [for the first time], I was never afraid of the water from day one. I loved the water. I used to go surfing a lot. And I love swimming. The reason I wanted to take up this sport is because I like to be independent. I love speed, and love the fact that when I’m on the water, nobody can tell me what to do. I can do whatever I want,” the reigning National Junior Optimist champion told The Hindu. 

Coached by international sailor Chitresh Tatha in India, as well as a host of foreign coaches (Fred Rato, Simone Ricci, and Marc Chapon) from whom she has learned a great deal, Shreya credits their guidance for helping her become the sailor she is today.

Shreya respects Chitresh for his technical knowledge. “Since July last year, Chitresh sir has been coaching me. There is nobody like him. He is the best coach, said Shreya, who is being advised on and off by Olympian sailors Nethra Kumanan, Varun Thakkar, and K. C. Ganapathy. 

Shreya has many more ambitions, including performing well at the Optimist World Championships in Portorož, Slovenia, from June 26 to July 5, 2025, followed by the Asian and Oceanian Optimist Championships in Musannah, Oman, from October 25 to November 1.

But her big goal is to take part in the Regatta of Champions scheduled to be held in Cyprus later this year. “Only the top 45 sailors can take part. I would love to be a part of it,” said Shreya, adding her dream is to participate, and if possible, clinch a medal at the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.

For her achievements, Shreya, fully supported and encouraged by her parents G. Lakshminarayanan and Sharon Krishna Rau,  was felicitated on Tuesday by Udhayanidhi Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

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