The steely determination of young V. Malavika was visible in full measure for a second consecutive day at the Dr. Zakir Hussian swimming pool, Sarasujai, on Tuesday, easing to a memorable win the women’s 400m freestyle of the 12th South Asian Games.
The 17-year-old, who had won the 800m freestyle, once again held sway over the rest of the field almost all through and touched the wall in 4:30.08 for a new Games record in the eight-lap race. Shivani Kataria finished second at 4:38.42, pushing Nepal’s Gaurika Singh to the third spot.
Overall, compared to the last three days, it was a great day for the host country which took seven gold medals of the eight decided this evening.
And holding centre-stage yet again was Sajan Prakash, who though beaten to the second place by compatriot Saurabh Sangvekar in the men’s 400m freestyle, showed tremendous character to pocket the 200m butterfly, with a new Games record to boot.
The contest between the two Indians in the freestyle race was decided in favour of Sangvekar as he took the lead midway through and sealed a brilliant win at 3:58.84.
In the butterfly, Sajan Prakash powerfully stroked his way to lead from start to finish, stopping the clock at 2:03.02, a good eight seconds and more clear of second-placed Cherthana de Silva (Sri Lanka).
The only thorn in the Indian flesh turned out be Sri Lankan Kimiko Raheem who sped her way to a third individual gold medal in the 50m backstroke. This was the Colombo girl’s third Games record.
The results: Men: 400m freestyle: 1. Saurabh Sangvekar (Ind), 3:58.84 [NGR; OR: 4:04.35], 2. Sajan Prakash (Ind), 4:03.79, 3. Kyle Abeysinghe (SL), 4:11.07.
50m backstroke: 1. P.S. Madhu (Ind), 26.86s [NGR; OR: 27.63s], 2. M. Arvind (Ind) 27.18s, 3. Matthew Abeysinghe (SL), 27.49s. 200m butterfly: 1. Sajan Prakash (Ind), 2:03.02 [NGR; OR: 2:05.06], 2. K.T. Chertantha de Silva (SL), 2:11.10, 3. Md. Juwel Ahmed (Ban), 2:13.02. 4x200m freestyle relay: 1. India, 7:43.42 [NGR; OR: 8:05,78], 2. Sri Lanka, 7:58.99, 3. Bangladesh, 8:31.08.
Women: 400m freestyle: 1. V. Malavika (Ind), 4:30.08 [NGR; OR: 4:36.08], 2. Shivani Kataria (Ind), 4:30.43, 3. Gaurika Singh (Nep), 4:40.93. 50m backstroke: 1. Kimiko Raheem (SL), 29.75s [NGR; OR: 31.08], 2. Maana Patel (Ind), 30.06s, 3. Bisma Khan (Pak), 31.95s. 200m butterfly: 1. Damini Gowda (Ind), 2:21.12 [NGR; OR: 2: 23.65], 2. Ridmi Rankothge (SL), 2:39.10, 3. Sona Aktar (Ban), 2:45.17. 4x200m freestyle relay: 1. India, 855, 98, 2. Sri Lanka, 9:26.47, 3. Pakistan, 9:48.04.
