Only 6 and 9 years old, the Koshy sisters belie all assumptions that one might make about children their age. The duo recently took on a challenge of swimming 2 miles each. Six-year-old Malaika Koshy completed the distance in 1 hr 17 mins. Her older sister Rebecca finished it in 1 hr 7 mins. The effort was part of a swimming mile challenge to raise money for their swimming club West Coast Aquatics. Together they raised over $500 for the swim club.

To the sisters, swimming comes as easily as any other activity. Malaika has been swimming since a very young age and she swam her first mile when she was 3½ years old! Rebecca trains 1¼ hours daily for various meets and competitions. When asked what was the hardest part about swimming 2 miles, she says, “I was nervous at first and thought I wouldn’t finish it.” But she did, and is planning to swim 3 miles next year.
Younger sister Malaika was just happy to have her sister swim with her in the same challenge, although she says she wasn’t tired. “If I did butterfly, I would be tired,” she says sweetly. Both sisters have a flair and passion for swimming. Rebecca would like to become a professional swimmer. “If not, I would like to make it my favorite hobby,” she concedes cheerily.

These hardworking little water babies deserve more than a mere pat on the back. Let’s duly recognize their achievements and encourage them on to be shining sportswomen of the future.