The presence of Asian Games medallists Sandeep Sejwal and Virdhawal Khade will add glamour to the 68th senior National aquatic championship, which gets underway here at the Subhash Sarobar swimming complex on Wednesday.
With the tournament serving as the qualifying event for the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia next year, all the best swimmers of the country will bee seen in action.
Apart from the two stars, who definitely remain the focus of attention, a host of young talents are expected to make a mark in the showpiece event of the country.
Railways, which has most of the talents in its fold, is expected to continue its dominance in the men’s category while it remains to be seen if Karnataka can be dislodged from its overall supremacy, which it has been able maintain for the past two decades. Maharashtra was the best performer in women’s category last year.
Khade, who is the youngest Indian swimmer to qualify for the Olympics, will be appearing in his two pet events 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly formally ending a break of two years from competitive swimming.
“I got employed as an officer with the Maharashtra revenue department and had to undergo departmental training for two years, which kept me away from the Nationals,” Khade told The Hindu .
“In fact, the two years rest has done a lot of good to me as I am feeling a lot fresh and am willing to push for more,” he added.
The 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games bronze medallist said he was feeling good with his timing after a session of practice under the watchful eyes of his coach Nihar Ameen.
Sejwal, who was the best swimmer in last year’s national in Thiruvananthapuram, said, “I had thought of quitting swimming a few years back. But the 2014 Incheon Asian Games bronze medal has restored the faith in my ability.”
Sejwal is looking to compete in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events. “Performing in the Nationals always remains important. This will be the stage from where we will try to prepare for the World Championship and then the Olympics. I hope this start will see us doing well in the two world events,” Sejwal said.
Maana Patel is expected to hold her dominance in the women’s section.
The 14-year-old swimmer from Gujarat created three records in last year’s Nationals, which fetched her the best woman swimmer’s title.
Richa Mishra, the former champion, is also making a return after serving two-year ban for failing dope tests.
Among the others, young Damini Gowda of Karnataka is another talent expected to do well in the women’s section.
