Dhinidhi Desinghu gestures after win in the 200m freestyle final.
| Photo Credit: BISWARANJAN ROUT
Teenage Olympian Dhinidhi Desinghu and her Karnataka State-mate Shoan Ganguly secured women’s 200m freestyle and men’s 200m medley crowns respectively with ‘India best’ times in the National aquatics championships at the Kalinga Stadium Aquatic Centre here on Monday.
Dhinidhi, who had a disappointing outing on Sunday, fought back to better her two-year-old meet record by clocking 2:02.97. The World Championships ‘B’ qualification mark is 2:02.37.
The 15-year-old surged ahead after the first 50m to establish a clear lead and win comfortably. “I felt a little nervous. Am happy I did well in my main event,” said Dhinidhi.
Shoan, who had timed a below-par 2:09 in the State meet a month ago, trained hard under his father-cum-coach Surajit Ganguly’s guidance to record 2:04.34. “I targeted ‘India best’ time and am thrilled to achieve that,” said Ganguly.
M.S. Yadesh Babu achieved his personal best of 28.35 for the men’s 50m breaststroke title.
“This is a result of my consistent training,” said Yadesh, on his maiden National title.
In 4x100m mixed freestyle relay, Karnataka – comprising Rujula S., Latisha Mandaana, Akash Mani, Tanish George Mathew – took the yellow metal with a new meet record of 3:41.18. Tamil Nadu claimed the silver after Maharashtra, which finished second, was disqualified.
Tamil Nadu, consisting of Pramiti Gnanasekaran, Yadesh, B. Benedicton Rohit, Deeksha Sivakumar, won the top honour in 4x100m mixed medley relay with a meet record.
The results (winners only): Men: 50m freestyle: Jashua Thomas (TN) 23.06; 1500m freestyle: Kushagra Rawat (Del) 15:32.95.
50m breaststroke: M.S. Yadesh Babu (TN) 28.35; 200m medley: Shoan Ganguly (Kar) 2:04.34 (NMR, Old 2:05.64, Siva S., 2022).
Women: 200m freestyle: Dhinidhi Desinghu (Kar) 2:02.97 (NMR, Old, 2:04.24, Dinidhi, 2023); 50m breaststroke: Mittapalli Rithvika (Tel) 33.98; 200m medley: Saanvi Deshwal (Mah) 2:21.87.
4x100m mixed freestyle relay: Karnataka 3:41.18 (NMR, Old 3:42.92); 4x100m mixed medley relay: Tamil Nadu 4:03.44 (NMR, Old 4:05.30).
Published – June 23, 2025 09:36 pm IST
