Vibhas Sen

Fencing became my visa,” says Sen. Diagnosed with polio at three months, Sen talks about his journey from being a swimming champion to a fencing champion. Sen regularly participates in international fencing competitions to be able to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. “It’s not how much you have, but what you do with what you have,” says Sen, signing off.

What are the biggest challenges you have faced in your journey?

Mostly the mind-set, because some people are not aware of our Paralympic sports. I think it’s the mind-set. People didn’t know that people with disabilities can fence. As simple as that. I think it’s more because of (the lack of) awareness.

What do you believe are the challenges that people with disabilities face today while pursuing sport or in other areas of life, like at school or at work or in the outside world?

I think the single biggest and the only differential is accessibility. That’s the only problem which they face. People with disabilities are equal to everyone else. It’s just the (lack of) accessibility that inhibits movement.

How did you decide to become a fencer?

I think I was destined to be a fencer. I started my career with swimming. Then I realised I have to switch sports. Age played a part here. I started swimming at a very late age. Fencing chose me rather than me choosing fencing.

Tell us about a few things that have always kept you motivated.

I think it’s the support. When the chips are down, people are the ones who really keep me motivated, who push me. My family, my friends and my other supporters. Their support keeps me motivated.

Is there a formula for success? Can you elaborate?

Dedication and hard work. There’s no formula. You just have to give your best in whatever you’re doing I think.

You also work in digital advertising. How do you straddle sports and advertising? How is it switching between the two?

The only reason I’m able to pursue my sport is because of good bosses and good mentors. I have been in advertising for the last 12 years. They understand that hiring a sportsperson is not very easy. We have camps, we have international events which we must attend. I think they have been very supportive and have given me leaves when I needed them. That’s the reason I’m even able to pursue or balance both sports and my full-time career.

How do you think forgotten lessons from the past, life lessons, can be brought back and executed in the future?

People try to get things much faster today. They don’t understand that there is a process. It takes time. Because of a fastpaced life, everyone wants to have everything right this moment. That’s one of the lessons. You have to be patient. Things will take their own time. I think patience is the only thing that people have actually forgotten about. Be it a sport, a business. Anything you want to achieve you have to be patient.