Raipur, March 29 -- For the past couple of days, Karnataka swimmer Manikanta must have felt like a model in a fashion show who needs to change within a few seconds of every ramp walk and get ready for the next act.

According to a press release from the KITG, the 21-year-old was the star performer at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games currently underway in Raipur and was aiming for a haul of nine gold medals in four days. Though he ended up with eight gold and a silver to show for his effort, the real challenge for Manikanta was to oscillate between the pool and the victory podium between his races, for which he needed to keep changing clothes while also trying to mentally prepare himself for the next race.

A breaststroke specialist,...