Record-breaking swimmer drowns in Mangaluru pool

Mangaluru: A 52-year-old swimmer, who earned a place in the Worldwide Book of Records for somersaults and yoga poses underwater, allegedly drowned in a swimming pool on Sunday. The deceased K Chandrashekar Rai Surikumaru was residing in Kudroli, Mangaluru. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Earlier, he had worked as a contract-based lifeguard at the Udupi swimming pool. About three years ago, he moved to Mangaluru. He also worked as a lifeguard and as a swimming coach for some individuals.

On Sunday, the pool is closed to the public. Chandrashekar Rai had come for maintenance work, said in-charge manager Ramesh Bejai. 

“He told the security guard that he would practice for a while, handed over his mobile phone, and dived into the pool. As he reached the middle, he reportedly suffocated and died,” Ramesh added.