75th Senior National Aquatic C'ship Begins At Sarusajai, Assam Win 2 Medals On Opening Day

Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Assam made good start in the 75th Senior National Aquatic Championship winning two medals on Day I at the Zakir Hussain Swimming pool in the city today.

Promising swimmer Shivangi Sarma gave the first medal in the form of a bronze to Assam and later the host state added another silver medal in their medal tally in day's final event.

The evening session of the competition started under heavy shower and it put a lot of trouble to the organizers. However the competition went ahead as per the schedule.

This time there are a few future stars in the Assam squad and one of them is Shivangi Sharma. She rose as per the expectation on the opening day and gave a bronze medal to Assam in the Women 400m Free Style. Shivangi clocked 4:35.83 to win the medal. Bhavya Sachdeva of Delhi and Vritti Agarwal of Telengana finished first and second in this event. Another swimmer from Assam Astha Choudhury, who also competed in the final with Shivangi, finished sixth.

Assam won the other medal, a silver, in the Mixed, 4 x 50m Medley. State team comprising of Jananjoy Jyoti Hazarika, Bhargav Phukan, Astha Choudhury and Shivangi Sarma finished second clocking 1:53.65. Gujarat and Karnataka bagged gold and bronze respectively.

Talking to the media just after the day's event Shivangi said, " It's a good start for us. I am happy to win a bronze on the opening day and our team also won a silver in the mixed relay."

Commenting on her goal in the competition the promising swimmer said, " I am working hard and my only goal is to do well in the competition."

Assam Olympic Association already included Shivangi in the elite list of athlete for the forthcoming National Games scheduled to be held in Gujarat. When the point was raised the swimmer said, " I will try my best to keep the flag of my state high with best possible performance."

The first day of the competition also witnessed a new national record. S Siva of Karnataka broke the record in the men, 200m medley with a timing of 2:05.64. The earlier record was on the name of Sajan Prakash (2:05.83). Assam swimmers Bikram Changmai and Bhargav Phukan came fifth and eighth respectively in the final of 200m medley.

Earlier the competition was inaugurated by the president of the Assam Swimming Association Ranjit Borgohain. The opening function was also attended by the Secretary General of the Swimming Federation of India Monal Chokshi, Secretary of the Assam Olympic Association Lakhya Konwar and others.

Around 700 swimmers are participating in the meet.

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