Shivani sets pool ablaze
Wins gold, silver and bronze at Swimming Nationals
Swimmer Shivani Karra did Telangana proud by winning a gold, silver and bronze at the 38th Subjunior National Aquatic Championship being held at Sardar Vallabbhai Patel Swimming Complex in Rajkot, Gujarat.
Shivani swam to gold in the 50 metres backstroke with a timing of 34.93 seconds. She was followed by Anvi Deshwal of Maharashtra who took silver in 35.87 while Saanvi Deshwal, also of Maharashtra, finished third in 36.27.
In the 100 metres butterfly, Shivani lost the top medal by a second as she clocked 1 minute 14.81 seconds to settle for silver behind Maharashtra’s Aanika Bhatia (1:13:88) and ahead of Amoli Nerlekar, also of Maharashtra, who timed 1:15:67.
Shivani’s third medal came in the 4x50 metres freestyle relay. She was part of the Telangana team comprising Shivani, Meghana Nair, Annika Deborah, Ditya Chowdary that took bronze in two minutes 12.31 seconds behind Maharashtra (02:08:17) and Tamil Nadu (02:10. 40)
At 11, Shivani is the youngest swimmer in her group. She learnt to swim when she was six, at the
Gachibowli Stadium Swimming Pool which is controlled by the Sports Authority of Telangana State under coach Ayush Yadav and has been training under him for competitive swimming ever since.
The sixth standard student of Jubile Hills Public School does her workouts from 5.30 am to 7.30 am and from 4 to 6 pm six days a week, balancing both swimming and education.
Her coach was understandably proud. “Shivani is a fine swimmer who has the potential to go far. It’s a proud moment for Sports Authority of Telangana State, Telangana Swimming Association, Gachibowli Stadium, coaches, officials as well as the parents,” said Ayush
Yadav, who is an NIS qualified coach and heads the coaching unit of the Sports Authority of Telangana State.
THE RESULTS
■ 100 metres butterfly: 1. Aanika Bhatia (Maharashtra) 1:13:88, 2. Shivani Karra (Telangana) 1:14:81, 3. Amoli Nerlekar (Maharashtra) 1:15:67.
■ 50 metres backstroke: 1. Shivani Karra (Telangana) 34.93, 2. Anvi Deshwal (Maharashtra) 35.87, 3. Saanvi Deshwal (Maharashtra) 36.27.
■ 4x50 metres freestyle relay: 1. Maharashtra 02:08:17, 2. Tamil Nadu 02:10.40, 3. Telangana (Shivani Karra, Meghana Nair, Annika Deborah, Ditya Chowdary) 02:12:31.