Mangaluru: A 52-year-old swimmer from Mangaluru, known for his underwater acrobatics, tragically lost his life on Sunday in a swimming pool accident. The victim, K. Chandrashekar Rai Surikumaru, had earned recognition in the Worldwide Book of Records for performing somersaults and yoga postures beneath the water’s surface.
A resident of Kudroli, Mangaluru, Rai leaves behind his wife and daughter. He previously worked as a contract lifeguard at the Udupi swimming pool before relocating to Mangaluru about three years ago. In addition to lifeguarding, he also provided private swimming lessons to individual learners.
According to pool in-charge manager Ramesh Bejai, the facility was closed to the general public on Sunday for maintenance. Rai had arrived for upkeep-related tasks but expressed his intention to swim for a short while. Before entering the water, he handed his mobile phone to the security guard for safekeeping.
Witness accounts suggest that after diving in and reaching the pool’s center, Rai appeared to struggle for breath. Moments later, he reportedly drowned. It is believed that sudden suffocation may have caused his death, though further details are awaited from official investigations.
This incident comes as a shock to the local swimming community, given Rai’s experience and achievements in aquatic sports. Friends and colleagues remember him as a dedicated professional with an unmatched passion for the water.
The loss marks the end of a remarkable journey for a man who had turned his love for swimming into both a career and a legacy.