RohitBhandiye
THE GOANPANAJI
VihaanPednekar’s bronze medal was the only saving grace for Goa at the42ndSub Junior National Aquatic Championships 2026 held in Jaipur from 6– 9 August.
Apartfrom Vihaan Pednekar and Purvi Naik, none of the Goan swimmers couldqualify for the finals.
Overall,the 14-member Goan squad comprising of Vihaan Pednekar, Purvi Naik,Suhans Desai, Yohann Homen, Shlok Gad, Saksham Naik, Rachel SeraDsouza, Reuben Rocha, Rinoy Dias, Pavit Godkar, Kavish Parab, VedikaMadar, Lucinda Corte and Raaya Nappoly disappointed.
Vihaanwas undoubtedly the star performer for Goa. He won a bronze in Boys200m Backstroke with a timing of 2 minutes 19.43 seconds. However, henarrowly missed a medal in Boys 100m Backstroke and Boys 50mBackstroke having finished fourth in both these categories with atiming of 1 minute 04.04 seconds and 29.57 seconds respectively. Hewas unfortunate to miss a medal by mere 0.13 and 0.20 seconds in 50mBackstroke and 100m Backstroke respectively.
“Vihaandefinitely gave his best. He reduced his timings from what he hadclocked during state meet in Goa about a month ago. However, hemissed the podium in 50m backstroke and 100m backstroke narrowly.Even said so, he is determined and looking forward for his upcomingschool games with more power and a stronger approach. He has alreadystarted working on small improvements he found missing in thiscompetition. His self-realization and determination will help him toshine and give best out of him in the years to come,” Vihaan’smother Prachi Pednekar told The Goan.
Astudent of standard IX at St. John of the Cross High School,Sanquelim, the 14-year-old boy from Porvorim trains in Bengaluruunder the guidance of his coach Surajit Ganguly at the BasavangudiAquatic Center.
Apartfrom Vihaan, Purvi was the only swimmer from Goa to qualify for thefinals. She finished seventh and eighth in Girls 100m Freestyle (1minute 03.23) and Girls 400m (5 minutes 01.32) respectively.
Purvialso participated in Girls 50m Freestyle and Girls 200m Freestyle.But, finished ninth overall in both these events, thereby missing outonto qualify for the finals by a whisker as only the top-8 in theheats qualify.
Itwas a commendable performance from Purvi who was coming back from aserious injury scare.
“Purvihad an accident at the Campal pool earlier this year in January. Shehad a C2 neck fracture, stitches on head, nose fracture and bleedingfrom mouth. It was very devastating for a swimmer who had just comehome in December 2025 by winning three medals (1 gold, 1 silver and 1bronze) at the National School Games. She was at home for threemonths with a stiff neck brace and on bed completely with no movementat all which made her confidence level drop and gain weight. Shestarted her training in April with neck collar still on with the helpof physiotherapists and doctors from GMC. It was a slow recovery buther coach Sujith T A believed in her and he made her come out of herfear of jumping from the deck again. But it was a long journey comingback to her average timings,” Namrata Naik, Purvi’s mother said.
Namrataexpressed gratitude to Goa Swimming Association President YogirajKamat and Secretary Sudesh Nagvekar for helping Purvi in her toughtimes.
The13-year-old girl from Sanquelim has been Goa’s most decoratedswimmer at the national level in recent times having won multiplemedals at the nationals. During last sub-junior nationals atBengaluru in August 2025, she had bagged three medals (2 gold and 1bronze).
Formost of the Goan swimmers, this was their maiden participation at thenational level and a valuable exposure trip.
Goafinished 15thoverall on the medal tally with a solitary bronze.
Notableperformances from Goan swimmers
| Name | Event | Timing | Rank |
| Vihaan Shailesh Pednekar | Boys 200m Backstroke | 2:19.43 | 3 |
| Vihaan Shailesh Pednekar | Boys 100m Backstroke | 1:04.04 | 4 |
| Vihaan Shailesh Pednekar | Boys 50m Backstroke | 29.57 | 4 |
| Purvi Ritesh Naik | Girls 100m Freestyle | 1:03.23 | 7 |
| Purvi Ritesh Naik | Girls 400m Freestyle | 5:01.32 | 8 |
