Tag: Indian swimming

Sports

Aarohi Borde Makes History with Bronze in 200m Butterfly at SFI Meet

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa, August 2025 – A new chapter has been written in Goa’s sporting history, thanks to rising star Aarohi Borde. Competing in the prestigious Swimming Federation of India (SFI) meet, Aarohi became the first Goan swimmer to win a medal in the demanding 200m Butterfly event.

🥉 Bronze Medal Performance

In a tight race, Aarohi clocked 2:33.65 to finish third, just behind silver medalist Angarika Saikia (2:33.45) and gold winner Sanithi Mukherjee (2:31.65). Her performance was not only technically sound but mentally resilient, showing poise under pressure in a fiercely competitive field.

🌊 Breaking Barriers for Goa

This medal marks a first-ever for the state in this category at a national-level SFI competition. The 200m Butterfly is known for its intensity and technique, making Aarohi’s feat even more impressive.

Her journey to the podium reflects years of hard work, dedication, and a commitment to pushing beyond limits. More importantly, it sets a precedent for young swimmers in Goa to aim higher and dream bigger.

💬 What This Means

Aarohi’s victory is more than just a medal. It’s a symbol of emerging talent from Goa, a region traditionally underrepresented in elite swimming competitions. Her success could pave the way for more athletes from smaller states to step into national—and even international—spotlights.

This achievement also underscores the importance of support systems for regional athletes, including better infrastructure, coaching, and visibility on competitive platforms.

🔗 Aarohi’s Future

With this milestone, Aarohi is now one to watch on the national circuit. Her determination and talent suggest this bronze might just be the beginning.

Sports

Srihari Nataraj Breaks National 100m Freestyle Record at World University Games

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Swimming into history, Indian star Srihari Nataraj delivered a sensational performance at the World University Games, clocking 49.46 seconds in the men’s 100m freestyle — breaking the longstanding national record held by Virdhawal Khade since 2008.

A Record That Stood for 16 Years

Khade’s record of 49.47 seconds, set at the Beijing Olympics, had stood unchallenged for over a decade. Srihari Nataraj, already a backstroke specialist and Olympian, proved his versatile brilliance by rewriting history in freestyle.

His performance at the World University Games not only set a new national benchmark but also showcased his evolution as a complete swimmer capable of dominating multiple events.

A Landmark for Indian Swimming

The timing of 49.46 seconds places Srihari among the fastest swimmers in Asia and reaffirms his position as India’s most promising aquatic talent. It’s a critical boost for Indian swimming on the global stage, especially as Paris 2024 draws near.

The Swimming Federation of India (SFI), fellow athletes, and fans have flooded social media with tributes and excitement. The performance also adds momentum to India’s swimming ecosystem, encouraging young athletes to aim higher.

A Word from the Camp

Sources from his training camp credited this result to months of focused preparation and improvements in technique and endurance. Srihari’s performance is seen as a key stepping stone in his pursuit of Olympic qualification in freestyle events alongside backstroke.

Looking Ahead

With his name now etched into Indian swimming history once again, Srihari Nataraj’s eyes are set firmly on the world stage. As he continues to break records and cross new milestones, his journey remains a beacon of inspiration for India’s sporting youth.

📍 Keep following Allycaral.com for exclusive updates on India’s rising sports icons and their global achievements.

Sports

Vedant Madhavan Clinches Five Golds for India at Malaysia Invitational Swim Meet

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Vedant Madhavan, the rising Indian swimming sensation and son of celebrated actor R. Madhavan, delivered a phenomenal performance at the 58th MILO/MAS Malaysia Invitational Age Group Swimming Championship, bringing home five gold medals in a single tournament.

Held in Kuala Lumpur, the championship featured elite age-group swimmers from across Asia. Vedant, representing India, stood out in the freestyle category by winning the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m, and 1500m races — showcasing not just speed but endurance and technical mastery.

His victory has once again placed India in the spotlight in global aquatic sports. R. Madhavan shared the news on social media, posting touching pictures of Vedant with the tricolor and his five gold medals, calling it one of the most emotional moments of their lives.

This isn’t Vedant’s first brush with international success. In 2022, he famously won gold in the 800m freestyle event at the Danish Open in Copenhagen, surpassing local swimmers on their home turf.

Vedant’s achievements reflect years of training, relentless focus, and a burning desire to elevate Indian swimming. His journey from national circuits to international podiums is not only inspirational but a clarion call for more support toward grassroots sports in India.

As he continues to rise, Vedant Madhavan stands tall as a beacon of youthful excellence — one stroke at a time.

Sports

Goa’s Shrungi Bandekar to Represent India at World University Games in Berlin

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Panaji, Goa – In a moment of immense pride for Goa and Indian swimming, Shrungi Bandekar, a talented swimmer and student at Jain University, Bengaluru, has been selected to represent India at the World University Games 2025 in Berlin, Germany.

Scheduled from July 16 to 27, the prestigious international event brings together the world’s top student-athletes. Shrungi will participate in three elite swimming events:

  • 400m Individual Medley
  • 200m Individual Medley
  • 200m Backstroke

Shrungi has earned her place on the global stage with consistent performances in national competitions. Most recently, she finished fourth in both the 400m and 200m IM at the 78th Senior National Aquatic Championships in Bhubaneswar, narrowly missing a podium finish by mere fractions of a second.

Despite the near-misses, her unwavering dedication and technical strength were enough to secure her a place in India’s contingent for Berlin. Her coaches and peers regard her as a swimmer of rare versatility and determination.

Beyond statistics, Shrungi’s story is one of resilience, discipline, and passion for the sport. With the eyes of the nation on her, she’s not only carrying Goa’s hopes but also representing the growing strength of women in Indian aquatics.

The World University Games will feature fierce competition, but with her talent and mindset, Shrungi is well-poised to turn heads and inspire many back home.

As she prepares to dive into international waters, Goa and India are right behind her — cheering her on every stroke of the way.

Sports

Goa’s Sanjana Prabhugaonkar Wins Silver at 78th National Aquatic Championships in Odisha

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Bhubaneshwar, Odisha | 27 June 2025 – Goa’s rising swimming star, Miss Sanjana Prabhugaonkar, has once again made the state proud by winning a silver medal at the 78th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2025 held at the prestigious Aquatic Complex, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar.

Organized by the Odisha State Swimming Association under the aegis of the Swimming Federation of India, the national-level event brought together the country’s top swimmers for four days of intense competition.

Silver for Goa in 50 Metres Backstroke

Sanjana clinched the silver medal in the highly competitive 50 Metres Backstroke event with an impressive timing of 30.68 seconds. She stood on the podium alongside some of India’s best:

  • 🥇 Gold: Vihita Nayana Loganathan (Karnataka) – 29.99 seconds
  • 🥈 Silver: Sanjana Prabhugaonkar (Goa) – 30.68 seconds
  • 🥉 Bronze: Soubrity Mondal (West Bengal) – 30.87 seconds

This performance highlights Sanjana’s consistency and growth as a competitive swimmer on the national stage.

A Proud Moment for Goa

Sanjana’s medal is not just a personal victory but a proud moment for Goan sports, especially in the field of aquatics, where young athletes from the state continue to shine despite limited infrastructure and training resources. Her success serves as an inspiration for aspiring swimmers in Goa and across India.

With her dedication, discipline, and determination, Sanjana has already built a reputation as one of Goa’s top swimming talents and continues to be a role model for youth in sports.