Nikita Prabhu in women’s 10kms, Mandar Divase in men’s 10kms, finished on top in respective categories at the Swimmathon 2015, held off Colva beach, Goa, recently. The event was a selection trial to choose swimmers for India in the Open Water Swimming category at the FINA World Championship in Kazan, Russia, scheduled from July 24 to August 9.
Nikita clocked 2:50:54 and Mandar 2:21:54 in the 10kms sea swim, attracting 45 participants across India. Others to qualify for the Kazan competition were Pooja Khumre (5kms women) and Sajan Prakash (5km men), timed at 1:14:45 and 1:02:40 respectively. Forty-five swimmers faced the starter in the 10kms, 225 took part in the five kilometres race.
India swim coach Pradeep Kumar was the Race Director for Swimmathon 2015, held under the aegis of Swimming Federation of India, Goa Swimming Association and conducted by Square Off Sports. Internationals Virdhawal Khade of Maharashtra, an Arjuna awardee, Talasha Prabhu of Goa also took part. The event was held with support from Goa Tourism.
Pradeep Kumar said: “Till last season, this event was hosted at Mumbai’s Gateway of India. This year it is in Goa and has evolved into a bigger competition.” Ashwini Agarwal of Square Off Sports, quipped: “Open Water Swimming is the newest Olympic sport and given the right attention, India can excel at the international level.”
Open Water Swimming is one of five competitions at the FINA-organised World Swimming in Kazan, others are diving, high diving, swimming, synchronized swimming and waterpolo. Beijing Olympics 2008 was the first time open water swimming became an official event.
The results:
10 km women: 1. Nikita Prabhu (2:50:54), 2. Girisha Tokekar (3:05:04), 3. Monika Nagpure (3:11:13).
10 km men: 1. Mandar Divase (2:21:54), 2. Ramesh Singh Tamatta (2:23:14), 3. Arvind Mani (2:40:23).
5 km women: 1. Pooja Kumare (1:14:45), 2. Shraddha Chavan (1:27:33), 3. Pratima Shinde (1:31:09).
5 km men: 1. Sajan Prakash (1:02:40), 2. Mitesh Kunte (1:02:50), 3. Ashutosh Pinjan (1:13:40).
