Rana Pratap Wins Gold, Sets National Record at Junior Aquatic Championships

Jharkhand’s Rana Pratap breaks national record; Karnataka dominates with 32 gold medals

Rana Pratap’s gold medal and record-breaking feat highlight the 49th Junior National Aquatic Championships in Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Sports Complex.

JAMSHEDPUR – Rana Pratap’s thrilling 200m breaststroke for group I boys helped Jharkhand win its first individual gold medal at the 39th Sub Junior and 49th Junior National Aquatic Championships 2023.

He set the national record in 2:21.88, breaking Swadesh Mondal’s previous mark.

Rana, a Tata Steel Swimming Training Centre trainee, defeated Karnataka’s Vidith S Shankar, who had been unbeatable for gold.

Vidith settled for silver in 2:24.31.

This is the first time that Jharkhand has won a national title.

Rana Pratap’s grandparents and father were international swimmers.

Coaches Sapan Pradhan and Firoz Khan train Rana Pratap.

Karnataka had a significant lead with 32 gold, 28 silver, and 17 bronze medals at the swanky new Aquatic Centre.

Tamil Nadu followed with 7 gold, 5 silver, and 10 bronze, and Maharashtra had 6 gold, 15 silver, and 13 bronze.

Karnataka’s girls ran well, breaking many national records and boosting their state’s pride.

Hashika Ramachandra won gold in 400m individual medley, breaking a previous record with 5:08.50.

Another record-breaker was Karnataka’s Tanishi Gupta, setting a national record in group II girls’ 100m butterfly at 1:02.21.

Ridhima Veerendra won the 50m backstroke for group I girls with 30.08, nearly missing the 2015 record.

Two gold medals for Karnataka’s Ishaan Mehera led his age group.

Punjab’s Jasnoor Kaur surprised fans with a great 50m freestyle swim for group I females, winning the gold and breaking a national record.

Telangana’s Vritti Agarwal won the 800m freestyle gold without breaking the national record.