PANAJI
Agnel swimmer Rishabh Das, a Std XII student of Agnel Junior College, Vashi made the headlines as he broke the National Record in the 200m backstroke at the Senior Nationals organised by the Swimming Federation of India in Bhubaneswar.
His performance shattered the previous best performance ever by an Indian in the event. He went on to win another gold in the 100m backstroke, a silver in the 50m backstroke and three bronze medals in the 100m freestyle and the freestyle and medley relays for men.
His performance in the 200 backstroke earned him a B qualifying time to be considered for selection for the World Championship. Agnel swimmers won a total of 15 medals. Fr Agnel, Vashi, is a branch of the Society of Pilar, Goa.
Heer Shah a trainee at the Agnel Khelo India Accredited Academy also bagged the limelight by winning a gold medal in the 100m freestyle. He also won a silver in the 50m freestyle and 2 bronze medals in the freestyle and medley relays respectively.
Aditi Hegde from Std Xth won silver medals in the 400m freestyle and the 4 x 200 freestyle relay for women. She also got bronze medals in the 800m freestyle and the 200m freestyle events.
Dakshajaa Dey Upreti a trainee at the Agnel pool, won a Silver in the 4 x 200 freestyle relays.
Congratulating the swimmers Fr Saturnino Almeida SFX of Fr. Agnel, Vashi said,"Our swimmers have performed really well at the Seniors this year and they are awaiting selection for the upcoming Asian Swimming Championships and the Asian Youth Games to be held in Ahmedabad and Bahrain respectively. Our institution has always believed that sports and academics can go together and this performance is a testament to this belief. Our coaches have worked hard on the swimmers and the result is proof of their effort. I am sure that our swimmers will continue to do well and win laurels not only at the National but at the international level as well."
