Shams Aalam
Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 17, 1986 Rathaus Village, Madhubani District, Bihar, India |
| Occupation | Para swimmer |
| Known for | World record for longest open water swim; top global rankings in men's 100 m butterfly (S5) and 50 m breaststroke (SB4) |
Mohammad Shams Aalam Shaikh (born 17 July 1986) is an Indian para swimmer who, as of 2 February 2024, holds the top position globally in men's 100 m butterfly (S5) and 50 m breaststroke (SB4) according to World Para Swimming (WPS) rankings. On 10 November 2024, he achieved a world record for the longest open water swim.
Early life and education
Born in Rathaus Village, Madhubani District, Bihar, Aalam later relocated to Mumbai. At age 24, he was diagnosed with a benign tumour in his lower back which, following unsuccessful surgical interventions, caused paralysis of his lower limbs. Currently living in Dharavi, Mumbai, he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Rizvi College of Engineering and completed an MBA at Sathyabama University in Chennai. His family background includes a tradition of wrestling.
Swim career
In 2018, Aalam secured four gold medals at the Indian Open Para Swimming Championship and had previously won a bronze medal at the 2016 Can-Am Para Swimming Championships held in Gatineau, Quebec. He represented India at the World Para Swimming Championship in Madeira, Portugal in 2022 and also competed at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta. On 3 December 2021, he was honored with the Best Sportsperson with Disability Award by the President of India.
Athletic career
Originally practicing karate, Aalam transitioned to swimming post-surgery. He accumulated 15 medals between the 12th and 17th Indian National Para Swimming Championships and was selected for India's team at the 2018 Asian Para Games, competing in S5 category events such as the 50m and 100m Butterfly and Freestyle races. At the 2016 Can-Am Para Swimming Championships, he earned a bronze medal in the men's 100m Breaststroke SB4 division.
During the 20th National Para-Swimming Championship, he claimed gold medals in both the 50m butterfly and the 150m medley events, along with a silver medal in the 100m freestyle. In January 2025, at Iceland’s Reykjavik International Games, Aalam set a new national record by winning gold in the 200m breaststroke. He also added three silver medals and two bronze medals across various breaststroke, medley, and freestyle categories during the same competition.
Awards
In 2018, Aalam Shaikh was recognized with the Best Emerging Leader in Disability Sports and Sports Diplomacy award by the U.S. Department of State’s Global Sports Mentoring Program. His profile was featured among the 300 Most Influential People in Asia 2020 by The New York Press News Agency. On International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2020, Bihar’s Social Welfare Department honored him with the Role Model State Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Additionally, he was named Best International Athlete of the Year 2020 by the Bihar Para Sports Association. On 22 February 2025, he received the Mastery Award at Chennai’s 23rd CavinKare Ability Awards.
Records
On 8 April 2017, Aalam established a world record for the longest open sea swim by a paraplegic by covering a distance of 9 km within four hours at Candolim Beach, Goa. He further set another world record during the National Takshila Open Water Swimming competition in Patna, Bihar by swimming 13 km across the Ganga River; this achievement was officially recognized by the World Records Union.
In January 2025, at Iceland’s Reykjavik International Games, he won gold in the 200m breaststroke event while setting new Indian and Asian records.