Sports

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


Goa, August 2025 โ€“ A new chapter has been written in Goaโ€™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.

๐Ÿฅ‰ 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.

๐ŸŒŠ 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 Aarohiโ€™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.

๐Ÿ’ฌ What This Means

Aarohiโ€™s victory is more than just a medal. Itโ€™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 nationalโ€”and even internationalโ€”spotlights.

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

๐Ÿ”— Aarohiโ€™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


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

A Record That Stood for 16 Years

Khadeโ€™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 Indiaโ€™s most promising aquatic talent. Itโ€™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 Indiaโ€™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. Srihariโ€™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 Natarajโ€™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 Indiaโ€™s sporting youth.

๐Ÿ“ Keep following Allycaral.com for exclusive updates on Indiaโ€™s rising sports icons and their global achievements.

Sports

Divya Deshmukh Enters Semi-Finals of FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, Joins Koneru Humpy


Batumi, Georgia | July 16, 2025: Indiaโ€™s rising chess star International Master Divya Deshmukh has etched her name into the history books by advancing to the semi-finals of the FIDE Womenโ€™s World Cup 2025, becoming only the second Indian woman ever to do so.

Joining her in the Final 4 is none other than Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, making it a historic occasion for Indian chess โ€” with two Indian women fighting for a spot in the final on the global stage.

Divyaโ€™s journey to the semi-finals has been marked by tactical brilliance, calm under pressure, and a maturity beyond her years. Her performances have captured the attention of the global chess community and renewed Indiaโ€™s dominance in womenโ€™s chess.

The 2025 FIDE Womenโ€™s World Cup, held in Batumi, Georgia, has seen fierce competition among the world’s best, and Divyaโ€™s advancement is a testament to Indiaโ€™s growing bench strength in international chess.

In a post-match interaction, Divya expressed her gratitude and excitement, saying, โ€œItโ€™s an honour to represent India at this level. Every game is a new challenge, and Iโ€™m thrilled to have made it to the semis.โ€

With Humpy and Divya both in the semis, India has doubled its chances for gold and reaffirmed its place as a global chess powerhouse.

The chess world now eagerly awaits the semi-final clashes as India watches with pride.

Stay tuned for more updates from FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025.

Sports

Sumit and Anil Mor Medal at UWW Ranking Series in Budapest, Boosting Indiaโ€™s Greco-Roman Wrestling Glory


Budapest | July 2025 โ€” Indian wrestlers continue to shine on the global stage with an impressive performance at the UWW Ranking Series held in Budapest. Two of Indiaโ€™s most promising Greco-Roman wrestlers, Sumit and Anil Mor, made the nation proud by clinching silver and bronze medals respectively.

Sumit demonstrated remarkable strength and technique, powering his way through the competition to reach the finals, ultimately finishing with a silver medal in his weight category. His agility and control over the mat showcased Indiaโ€™s rising capabilities in Greco-Roman wrestling, traditionally dominated by European nations.

Meanwhile, Anil Mor fought valiantly through the bronze medal bouts and emerged victorious, adding a bronze medal to Indiaโ€™s tally. His performance was marked by fierce determination, strategic movement, and a commanding presence that earned accolades from wrestling enthusiasts and experts alike.

These victories further solidify Indiaโ€™s standing in international wrestling circuits and reflect the consistent progress and support being extended to athletes in less-highlighted formats like Greco-Roman.

With wrestling being a part of India’s rich sporting heritage, performances like these ignite hopes for even greater success in future international competitions including the Asian Games and Olympics.

The Wrestling Federation of India and fans across the nation have lauded the athletes and their coaches for their efforts, dedication, and for flying the Indian flag high in Budapest.

Sports

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


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 โ€” 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 isnโ€™t Vedantโ€™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.

Vedantโ€™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 โ€” one stroke at a time.