Patna: Madhubani-based differently-abled swimmer Shams Alam Shaikh, 31, has been selected for the World Para Swimming Championship World Series to be held in Sheffield in UK in May.

Shams confirmed the news from US where he is participating in the Global Sports Mentoring Programme, 2018, a month-long mentorship line-up being organised by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of US Department of State in collaboration with the University of Tennessee.

Shams's so far journey is full of grit and determination. A spinal cord injury had left him, a black-belt holder in karate, paraplegic in 2010.

Shams, who has been left paralysed below chest, has won bronze at the 2016 Speedo Can Am Para-swimming Championships in Canada. He also holds the country's record for the longest open sea swim by a paraplegic person. Shams was also felicitated by Governor Satya Pal Malik at Raj Bhavan this Republic Day.

"I need to play the Asian Games and an international championship as performance of both would be judged to secure a good world ranking. Giving my best in the World Para Swimming Championship World Series is the only option left for me. This is going to be held before the Asian Games. If I perform well no one can refuse me a world ranking," said Shams from US.