In a display of aquatic prowess, India is all set to host the third edition of the National Finswimming Championships 2023. This highly anticipated event is poised to bring together around 1,200 skilled athletes from every corner of the country. Organized by the Underwater Sports Association of Maharashtra, the championship will unfold at the sprawling Swimming Complex within the Shivchatrapati Kreeda Sankul in Mahalunge Balewadi. Mark your calendars for September 3rd to 5th as finswimmers from over 30 states, including union territories, dive into a three-day competition that promises thrilling action both above and below the water's surface.
A Prestigious Repeat
This year marks the third consecutive edition of the National Finswimming Championships, with Pune having the honor of hosting it for the second time. In a recent media conference held at PYC Hindu Gymkhana, Dr. Tapan Panigrahi, President of the Underwater Sports Association of Maharashtra, shared the championship's primary objective: to usher in a new era of competitive swimming within India. With a total of 114 events on the roster, the championship is set to be a multifaceted extravaganza. Guided by a dedicated team of 85 Indian coaches and bolstered by the expertise of two international professionals from Dubai and Egypt, athletes will compete across a wide spectrum of categories.
State Participation
To ensure a level playing field and accommodate diverse age groups, competitors will be categorized into eight distinct brackets, ranging from 11-year-olds to seniors and masters aged 30, 40, 50, and 55. Among the athletes to keep a close eye on are last year's gold medalists, Sabhyasachi Panigrahi from Maharashtra and Divya Satija from Haryana. These accomplished swimmers are poised to once again dazzle spectators with their exceptional abilities from September 3 to 5, 2023.
Athletes hailing from 30 different states, including Maharashtra, Assam, Haryana, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Gujarat, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Lakshadweep, and Goa, will converge in Pune. Each state is bringing its finest talent to vie for the championship's top honors.
Recap of 2022 Championships
In the 2nd National Finswimming Championship held in 2022, West Bengal emerged as the frontrunners, securing an impressive haul of 90 medals, including 32 golds. Kerala clinched the second position with 44 medals, 17 of which were gold, while Telangana secured the third spot with 34 medals, including 16 gold. Maharashtra contributed to the medal tally with 1 gold, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal.
Adding more, the Secretary-General of the Underwater Sports Association of Maharashtra, emphasized that this championship serves as a platform not only for elite swimmers but also for emerging talents. The federation's overarching goal is the advancement of the discipline of Finswimming, which has the potential to greatly benefit traditional swimmers as well
Share
Tweet
