Nisha Millet

Nisha Millet was born on 20 March 1982 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. In her 14 year swimming career, Nisha has won more than 600 gold medals at state, national and international meets. Nisha has the honor of being the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics, by achieving the FINA Olympic B Qualifying time for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She currently runs Nisha Millet’s Swimming Academy around Bangalore.

Career

Nisha had a near drowning experience at the age of 5 years, following which her father insisted she overcome her fear and learn how to swim. In 1991, Nisha learnt how to swim under the guidance of her father, Aubrey at Shenoynagar Club, Chennai. By 1992, Nisha had won her first state level medal in 50m freestyle, in Chennai.

In 1994, while still a sub-junior, Nisha won all five freestyle gold medals at the Senior National Level and beat India’s top swimmers. The same year, she also won her first international medal at the Asian Age Group Championships in Hong Kong. This was the start of Nisha’s reign.

Nisha represented India at the 1998 Asian Games (Thailand), World Championships (Perth 1999, Indianapolis 2004) and won medals for the country at both the Afro-Asian Games and SAF Games. She was the only Indian athlete to win 14 gold medals at the National Games in 1999. At the peak of her career, Nisha represented India at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the 200m freestyle, where she won her heat, but failed to qualify for the semi-finals. After undergoing back surgery in 2002, she narrowly missed out on the 2004 Olympic qualification and decided to retire from competitive swimming due to heavy financial burden on her parents.

She credits a large part of her success to Pradeep Kumar, at the Basvangudi Aquatic Center.

Nisha held the national record/ best Indian performance in the 200m and 400m freestyle for 15 years, ending 2015. She also holds the distinction of being the first Indian swimmer to break the one minute barrier in the 100m freestyle.

Personal

Nisha’s younger sister, Reshma Millet, was one of the top sprinters in the country, and both sisters competed against each other at many swimming meets.

Nisha is an AUSTSWIM certified Teacher and Assessor. She is currently spreading awareness about aquatic education and water safety through her Academy. Nisha holds a BA degree from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. She got married in 2008 to Bikranjit Chatterjee, and gave birth to twins Arianna and Adele in 2013. She now runs Nisha Millets Swimming Academy, along with her husband Bikranjit. The Academy has coached more than 10,000 swimmers over the past 11 years.

Nisha is a brand consultant of Speedo Swimwear, India, and also the mentor of the swimmers of Team Speedo, India.

Awards

• Arjuna Award 2000
• Rajyotsava Award 2001
• Indo-American Young Achiever Award 2002
• Karnataka State Ekalavya Award 2003
• Prime Ministers Award for Best Sportswoman at National Games 1997&1999

External links

• Nisha Millet's Home Page
• Nisha Millet's Swimming Academy

See also

• India at the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre